(a) Establishment.—
There is established a National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
(b) Function.—The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to—
(1)
medical certification determinations for the issuance of licenses, certification of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents with respect to merchant mariners;
(c) Membership.—
(1) In general.—
The Committee shall consist of 14 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.
(2) Expertise.—
Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.