((a)) ** In general** To carry out the program authorized in , the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a replacement and modernization plan for the NOAA fleet not later than 180 days after , and every 2 years thereafter.section 891a of this titleDecember 18, 20252025-12-18

((b)) ** Plan elements** The Plan required in subsection (a) shall include the following—

((1)) the number of vessels in operation in the NOAA fleet as of the date of submission of the Plan, a description of the status of those vessels, and a statement of the planned and anticipated service life of those vessels;

((2)) a plan with respect to operation, maintenance, and replacement of vessels described in paragraph (1), including the schedule for maintenance or replacement and anticipated funding requirements;

((3)) the number of vessels proposed to be constructed by NOAA;

((4)) the number of vessels proposed to be acquired, leased, or chartered by NOAA;

((5)) the number of vessels, or days at sea, that can be obtained by using the vessels of the UNOLS;

((6)) the number of vessels that will be made available to NOAA by the Secretary of the Navy, the Director of the National Science Foundation, or any other Federal official, and the terms and conditions for the availability of those vessels;

((7)) the proposed acquisition of modern scientific instrumentation for the NOAA fleet, including acoustic systems, data transmission positioning and communication systems, physical, chemical, and meteorological oceanographic systems, and data acquisition and processing systems;

((8)) a plan for using small vessels, uncrewed systems, and partnerships to augment the requirements of NOAA for days at sea;

((9)) the number of officers of the NOAA commissioned officer corps and professional wage mariners needed to operate and maintain the NOAA fleet, including the vessels identified under paragraph (3); and

((10)) current and potential challenges with meeting the requirements under paragraph (9) and proposed solutions to those challenges.

((c)) ** Vessel procurement approval** The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may not procure vessels that are more than 65 feet in length without the approval of the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations.