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Read. Follow. Verify.Proposed Coast Guard Shore-to-Ship Communication Network
Record date · June 24, 2026
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What This Bill Does
Senator Booker has proposed an amendment to the 2027 defense authorization bill that would require the Coast Guard to establish a nationwide shore-to-ship maritime communication network. The network would be operated through a private and would broadcast safety, security, and environmental information to vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems.
This amendment would create a new federal mandate for the Coast Guard to contract with private entities to manage maritime messaging, potentially changing how safety and navigation data is delivered to vessels across all U.S. coastlines.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Coast Guard
The agency is mandated to procure a services contract and establish new messaging procedures.
Vessel operators
Vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems would receive direct safety and security messaging from the new network.
Private/non-Federal station operators
Existing operators may be integrated into the new network through the Coast Guard's services contract.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the proposed maritime communication network?
Will this replace existing private maritime communication stations?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Public-Private Infrastructure Integration
The amendment explicitly mandates the integration of existing private infrastructure into a federal network to prevent duplication, signaling a preference for leveraging current assets over building new ones.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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