Except for the Commandant, any individual adjudicating an appeal or waiver of a decision regarding marine safety, including inspection or manning and threats to the environment, shall—

(1) be a qualified specialist with the training, experience, and qualifications in marine safety to effectively judge the facts and circumstances involved in the appeal and make a judgment regarding the merits of the appeal; or

(2) have a senior staff member who—

(A) meets the requirements of paragraph (1);

(B) actively advises the individual adjudicating the appeal; and

(C) concurs in writing on the decision on appeal.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §524(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2958, §102; renumbered §101, Pub. L. 111–330, §1(6)(A), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3531(c)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2320; renumbered §562, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)