# Summary
The American Offshore Worker Fairness Act modifies manning and crewing requirements for vessels and structures operating on the outer continental shelf, particularly for offshore energy and wind projects. The bill allows foreign-registered vessels to operate with limited crew exemptions, provided that crew members are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or citizens of the vessel's flag nation. However, three-year transition periods apply to cable and pipe-laying vessels, after which U.S. crews become required unless no U.S.-flagged alternative exists. The legislation exempts certain specialized vessels performing heavy offshore lifts and offshore wind installations from crew citizenship requirements indefinitely. It also establishes a formal process for businesses to request and challenge Coast Guard interpretive rulings on coastwise trade compliance within 60 days, with appeal rights to federal court. The bill authorizes $80 million annually through 2028 for Maritime Centers of Excellence workforce training, with individual grants capped at $10 million per year. Civil penalties of $10,000 per day apply to violations, and foreign vessel operators must notify the Department of Homeland Security before beginning offshore activities. The legislation takes effect one year after enactment.
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