b'FOGHORN FOCUSSTANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR Alternative Fuel SystemsLT VIRGINIA BUYS // U.S. COAST GUARDT heexpandingpressuresonthemaritimeenvironmentduetoclimatechangeand operational use are intensifying at a rapid pace, leading to ever-evolving complexities and challenges within the Marine Transportation System. Rising sea levels, fluctuating weather patterns, and resource insecurities have contributed to a rise in interest for using alter-native fuel technology within the maritime industry, including a rise in emerging designs with increasingly complex fuels and associated vessel systems. Novel fuel technologies such as hydro-PHOTO: TOBIAS TULLIUS / UNSPLASHgen, lithium-ion batteries, and fuel cells for ship propulsion and power generation are challeng-ing existing regulatory frameworks and present an urgent need to address regulatory gaps that currently exist for novel fuel vessels operating in the United States. As a regulatory authority, the U.S. Coast Guard has responded to this need for guidance by developing and streamlining processes in which technological advances may flourish alongside regulatory development. FOGHORN 34'