((a)) ** .—** There is established a National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).

((b)) ** .—** The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to personnel in the United States merchant marine, including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.

((c))

((1)) ** .—** The Committee shall consist of 19 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.

((2)) ** .—** Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

((3)) ** .—** Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:

((A)) 9 members shall represent mariners and, of the 9—

((i)) each shall—

((I)) be a citizen of the United States; and

((II)) hold an active license or certificate issued under chapter 71 of this title or a merchant mariner document issued under chapter 73 of this title;

((ii)) 3 shall be deck officers who represent merchant marine deck officers and, of the 3—

((I)) 2 shall be licensed for oceans any gross tons;

((II)) 1 shall be licensed for inland river route with a limited or unlimited tonnage;

((III)) 2 shall have a master’s license or a master of towing vessels license;

((IV)) 1 shall have significant tanker experience; and

((V)) to the extent practicable—

((aa)) 1 shall represent labor; and

((bb)) 1 shall represent management;

((iii)) 3 shall be engineering officers who represent merchant marine engineering officers and, of the 3—

((I)) 2 shall be licensed as chief engineer any horsepower;

((II)) 1 shall be licensed as either a limited chief engineer or a designated duty engineer; and

((III)) to the extent practicable—

((aa)) 1 shall represent labor; and

((bb)) 1 shall represent management;

((iv)) 2 shall be unlicensed seamen who represent merchant marine unlicensed seaman and, of the 2—

((I)) 1 shall represent able-bodied seamen; and

((II)) 1 shall represent qualified members of the engine department; and

((v)) 1 shall be a pilot who represents merchant marine pilots.

((B)) 6 members shall represent marine educators and, of the 6—

((i)) 3 shall be marine educators who represent maritime academies and, of the 3—

((I)) 2 shall represent State maritime academies (and are jointly recommended by such academies); and

((II)) 1 shall represent either State maritime academies or the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and

((ii)) 3 shall be marine educators who represent other maritime training institutions and, of the 3, 1 shall represent the small vessel industry.

((C)) 2 members shall represent shipping companies employed in ship operation management.

((D)) 2 members shall represent the general public.