I think the biggest impact of the new law on us trawlermen is the extension of vessel documentation from one year to five years.
"Kennedy added the Coast Guard Act also extended the vessel documentation term from one year to five years. Anyone renewing his or her vessel documentation through the Coast Guard’s National Vessel will receive a five-year certificate – instead of the usual one-year renewal – thanks to the new law.
“Making recreational-vessel documentation renewal easier by now requiring it only once every five years is a consumer-friendly move,” Kennedy said."