2014 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping (Sections 101 - 80509)
Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen (Sections 2101 - 14702)
Part B - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels (Sections 3101 - 4705)
Chapter 41 - Uninspected Vessels Generally (Sections 4101 - 4106)
Front Matter
Publication Title | United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 2, Title 46 - SHIPPING |
Category | Bills and Statutes |
Collection | United States Code |
SuDoc Class Number | Y 1.2/5: |
Contained Within | Title 46 - SHIPPING Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen Part B - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels CHAPTER 41 - UNINSPECTED VESSELS GENERALLY - Front Matter |
Date | 2014 |
Laws In Effect As Of Date | January 5, 2015 |
Positive Law | Yes |
Disposition | standard |
Statutes at Large References | 36 Stat. 462 54 Stat. 163 98 Stat. 446 104 Stat. 2993 |
Public and Private Laws | Public Law 76-484, Public Law 98-364, Public Law 101-595 |
Download PDF
Chapter 41 applies to vessels that are not subject to inspection and certification under chapter 33.
The Federal authority to regulate uninspected vessels originated with the Motorboat Act of 1910 (Public Law 61–201, 36 Stat. 462) when Congress established standards with respect to navigation lights, machinery requirements, life preservers, and for the licensing of operators on small vessels carrying passengers. This was an extension of Federal regulatory authority over certain non-steam-propelled vessels, that is, those recreational vessels and commercial vessels that are propelled by machinery other than steam.
Thirty years later, the 1910 Act was amended by the Motorboat Act of 1940 (Public Law 76–484, 54 Stat. 163), which added to the equipment that was required and provided for other regulatory controls. In this manner the Federal Government continued to exercise some degree of maritime safety supervision over the commercial and recreational vessel sector that was "uninspected". This was important because steam towing vessels were converting to diesel propulsion and were therefore no longer subject to the detailed periodic and extensive hull, machinery, and equipment inspections of a Federal agency. In addition, the number of recreational vessels primarily propelled by gasoline were increasing and were also suffering casualties from explosions and fires.
AMENDMENTS1990—Pub. L. 101–595, title VI, §603(3)(B), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2993, struck out item 4104 "Regulations".
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, §402(7)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 446, inserted "GENERALLY" in chapter heading.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. The United States Government Printing Office may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the US site. Please check official sources.