§ 710 — Assistance To Foreign Governments And Maritime Authorities

(a) The President may upon application from the foreign governments concerned, and whenever in his discretion the public interests render such a course advisable, detail members of the Coast Guard to assist foreign governments in matters concerning which the Coast Guard may be of assistance. (b) The Commandant, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may provide, in conjunction with regular Coast Guard operations, technical assistance (including law enforcement and maritime safety and security training) to foreign navies, coast guards, and other maritime authorities. (c) After consultation with the Secretary of State, the Commandant may make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other agreements with, international maritime organizations for the purpose of acquiring information or data about merchant vessel inspections, security, safety, environmental protection, classification, and port state or flag state law enforcement or oversight. (1) The Commandant may use funds for— (A) the activities of traveling contact teams, including any transportation expense, translation services expense, or administrative expense that is related to such activities; (B) the activities of maritime authority liaison teams of foreign governments making reciprocal visits to Coast Guard units, including any transportation expense, translation services expense, or administrative expense that is related to such activities; (C) seminars and conferences involving members of maritime authorities of foreign governments; (D) distribution of publications pertinent to engagement with maritime authorities of foreign governments; and (E) personnel expenses for Coast Guard civilian and military personnel to the extent that those expenses relate to participation in an activity described in subparagraph (C) or (D). (2) An activity may not be conducted under this subsection with a foreign country unless the Secretary of State approves the conduct of such activity in that foreign country. (3) The amount of funds used under this subsection may not exceed $100,000 in any fiscal year.