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46 U.S.C. § 3309 — Certificate of inspection
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** When an inspection under [section 3307 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3307&num=0&edition=prelim) has been made and a vessel has been found to be in compliance with the requirements of law and regulations, a certificate of inspection, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, shall be issued to the vessel.
**(b)** The Secretary may issue a temporary certificate of inspection in place of a regular certificate of inspection issued under subsection (a) of this section.
**(c)** At least 30 days before the current certificate of inspection issued to a vessel under subsection (a) of this section expires, the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of the vessel shall submit to the Secretary in writing a notice that the vessel—
(1) will be required to be inspected; or
(2) will not be operated so as to require an inspection.
**(d)** A certificate of inspection issued under this section shall be signed by the senior Coast Guard member or civilian employee who inspected the vessel, in addition to the officer in charge of marine inspection.
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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_b94e7dca4611eb5eb4b61330
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-46/section-3309-certificate-of-inspection--7ba9104dfc.md
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Source location: Title 46, Chapter 33, § 3309; chapter-033-inspection-generally.md
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**(a)** When an inspection under [section 3307 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3307&num=0&edition=prelim) has been made and a vessel has been found to be in compliance with the requirements of law and regulations, a certificate of inspection, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, shall be issued to the vessel.
**(b)** The Secretary may issue a temporary certificate of inspection in place of a regular certificate of inspection issued under subsection (a) of this section.
**(c)** At least 30 days before the current certificate of inspection issued to a vessel under subsection (a) of this section expires, the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of the vessel shall submit to the Secretary in writing a notice that the vessel—
(1) will be required to be inspected; or
(2) will not be operated so as to require an inspection.
**(d)** A certificate of inspection issued under this section shall be signed by the senior Coast Guard member or civilian employee who inspected the vessel, in addition to the officer in charge of marine inspection.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)**
(1) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel of the United States, having reason to believe (because of lack of communication with or nonappearance of a vessel or any other incident) that the vessel may have been lost or imperiled, immediately shall—
(A) notify the Coast Guard; and
(B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel.
(2) When more than 48 hours have passed since the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel required to report to the United States Flag Merchant Vessel Location Filing System under authority of [section 50113 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section50113&num=0&edition=prelim) has received a communication from the vessel, the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent immediately shall—
(A) notify the Coast Guard; and
(B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel.
(3) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel of the United States notifying the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or (2) shall—
(A) provide the name and identification number of the vessel, the names of individuals on board, and other information that may be requested by the Coast Guard; and
(B) submit written confirmation to the Coast Guard within 24 hours after nonwritten notification to the Coast Guard under such paragraphs.
(4) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent violating this subsection is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.
**(b)**
(1) The master of a vessel of the United States required to report to the System shall report to the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent at least once every 4
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 2306
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Each vessel subject to inspection under this part shall undergo an initial inspection for certification before being put into service. After being put into service—
(1) each passenger vessel, nautical school vessel, and small passenger vessel allowed to carry more than 12 passengers on a foreign voyage shall be inspected at least once a year; and
(2) any other vessel shall be inspected at least once every 5 years.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3307
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
When the President decides that the needs of foreign commerce require, the President may suspend a provision of this part for a foreign-built vessel registered as a vessel of the United States on conditions the President may specify.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3101
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 14 U.S.C. § 101
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** Except as provided in subsection (b), a vessel subject to inspection under this part may not be operated without having on board a certificate of inspection issued under [section 3309 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3309&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b)** The Secretary may direct the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel subject to inspection under this chapter and not having on board a certificate of inspection—
(1) to have the vessel proceed to mooring and remain there until a certificate of inspection is issued;
(2) to take immediate steps necessary for the safety of the vessel, individuals on board the vessel, or the environment; or
(3) to have the vessel proceed to a place to make repairs necessary to obtain a certificate of inspection.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3311
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
The certificate of inspection issued to a vessel under [section 3309 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section3309&num=0&edition=prelim) shall be displayed, suitably framed, in a conspicuous place on the vessel. When it is not practicable to so display the certificate, it shall be carried in the manner prescribed by regulation.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3312
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the design, construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation, equipping, personnel qualification, and manning of vessels to which this chapter applies, that may be necessary for increased protection against hazards to life and property, for navigation and vessel safety, and for enhanced protection of the marine environment. The Secretary may prescribe different regulations applicable to vessels engaged in the domestic trade, and also may prescribe regulations that exceed standards set internationally. Regulations prescribed by the Secretary under this subsection are in addition to regulations prescribed under other laws that may apply to any of those vessels. Regulations prescribed under this subsection shall include requirements about—
(1) superstructures, hulls, cargo holds or tanks, fittings, equipment, appliances, propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, and boilers;
(2) the handling or stowage of cargo, the manner of handling or stowage of cargo, and the machinery and appliances used in the handling or stowage;
(3) equipment and appliances for lifesaving, fire protection, and prevention and mitigation of damage to the marine environment;
(4) the manning of vessels and the duties, qualifications, and training of the officers and crew;
(5) improvements in vessel maneuvering and stopping ability and other features that reduce the possibility of marine casualties;
(6) the reduction of cargo loss if a marine casualty occurs; and
(7) the reduction or elimination of discharges during ballasting, deballasting, tank cleaning, cargo handling, or other such activity.
**(b)** In prescribing regulations under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall consider the types and grades of cargo permitte
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 46 U.S.C. § 3703
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 61
TITLE 46—SHIPPING
§ 3309
§ 3307. Frequency of inspection
Each vessel subject to inspection under this
part shall undergo an initial inspection for cer-
tification before being put into service. After
being put into service—
(1) each passenger vessel, nautical school
vessel, and small passenger vessel allowed to
carry more than 12 passengers on a foreign
voyage shall be inspected at least once a year;
and
(2) any other vessel shall be inspected at
least once every 5 years.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 514; Pub. L.
104–324, title VI, § 605(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3931.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
Source section (U.S. Code)
3307(1) ..........................................
46:391(c)
46:1295f(c)
3307(2) ..........................................
46:390a(a)
46:404–1(6)(i)
3307(3) ..........................................
46:391(b)
46:392(b)
46:404–1(6)(ii)
Section 3307 requires each vessel subject to inspection
to undergo an initial inspection prior to being placed in
service. This is normally started during the construc-
tion or reconstruction phase and is a continuing proc-
ess until final certification for operation in a par-
ticular trade. Subsequent periodic inspections are also
required for various types of vessels. It is to be noted
that a freight vessel of less than 100 gross tons shall be
inspected at 3 year intervals while the larger freight
vessel has a 2 year inspection period. This is being done
to retain the existing procedure of issuing 3 year cer-
tificates of inspection to smaller vessels, however, this
does not prevent periodic inspections or examinations
at intervening periods.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
1996—Par. (1). Pub. L. 104–324, § 605(a)(1), substituted
‘‘, nautical schoo
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 46 U.S.C. § 3309
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