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
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.)