The Congress finds and declares -

(a)

that navigation and vessel safety and protection of the marine environment are matters of major national importance;

(b)

that increased vessel traffic in the Nation's ports and waterways creates substantial hazard to life, property, and the marine environment;

(c)

that increased supervision of vessel and port operations is necessary in order to -

(1)

reduce the possibility of vessel or cargo loss, or damage to life, property, or the marine environment;

(2)

prevent damage to structures in, on, or immediately adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States or the resources within such waters;

(3)

insure that vessels operating in the navigable waters of the United States shall comply with all applicable standards and requirements for vessel construction, equipment, manning, and operational procedures; and

(4)

insure that the handling of dangerous articles and substances on the structures in, on, or immediately adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States is conducted in accordance with established standards and requirements; and

(d)

that advance planning is critical in determining proper and adequate protective measures for the Nation's ports and waterways and the marine environment, with continuing consultation with other Federal agencies, State representatives, affected users, and the general public, in the development and implementation of such measures