In carrying out the duties of the Secretary under sections 70001, 70002, and 70003, the Secretary shall—
(1) take into account all relevant factors concerning navigation and vessel safety, protection of the marine environment, and the safety and security of United States ports and waterways, including—
(B)
vessel traffic characteristics and trends, including traffic volume, the sizes and types of vessels involved, potential interference with the flow of commercial traffic, the presence of any unusual cargoes, and other similar factors;
(C)
port and waterway configurations and variations in local conditions of geography, climate, and other similar factors;
(D)
the need for granting exemptions for the installation and use of equipment or devices for use with vessel traffic services for certain classes of small vessels, such as self-propelled fishing vessels and recreational vessels;