; (ii) shall not vote on any matter before the Committee; (iii) shall not contribute to a quorum; (iv) shall serve without compensation; and (v) shall be responsible for all travel expenses. (C) Designation; experience (i) Experience The Secretary may designate an individual as an observer without regard to the requirement of paragraph (2)(B), except that— (I) 1 observer shall have particular knowledge of the national interests of American pilots; and (II) 1 observer shall have particular knowledge of the interests of Canadian shippers. (ii) Notice The Secretary may designate an individual as an observer without regard to the requirement of paragraph (4)(A), except that the Secretary may solicit, from the Commandant, recommendations with regard to the individual whom the Secretary shall designate as an observer. (iii) Canadian shippers With regard to the individual with particular knowledge of the interests of Canadian shippers, the Secretary may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, designate an individual who is a citizen of Canada. (D) Vacancy An observer shall serve a term of not more than 3 years from the effective date of the designation, except that, in the case of a designation to fill a vacancy on the Committee, the observer shall be designated for a full term. (d) Consultation The Commandant (or the Commandant’s designee) shall, whenever practicable— (1) consult with the Committee before taking any significant action relating to Great Lakes pilotage; and (2) consider the information, advice, and recommendations of the Committee in formulating policy regarding matters affecting Great Lakes pilotage. (e) Federal Advisory Committee Act