2018 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen
Part C - Load Lines of Vessels
Chapter 51 - Load Lines
Sec. 5101 - Definitions

Download PDF
Citation 46 U.S.C. § 5101 (2018)
Section Name §5101. Definitions
Section Text

In this chapter—

(1) "domestic voyage" means movement of a vessel between places in, or subject to the jurisdiction of, the United States, except movement between—

(A) a place in a territory or possession of the United States or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and

(B) a place outside that territory, possession, or Trust Territory.


(2) "economic benefit of the overloading" means the amount obtained by multiplying the weight of the overload (in tons) by the lesser of—

(A) the average freight rate value of a ton of the vessel's cargo for the voyage; or

(B) $50.


(3) "existing vessel" means—

(A) a vessel on a domestic voyage, the keel of which was laid, or that was at a similar stage of construction, before January 1, 1986; and

(B) a vessel on a foreign voyage, the keel of which was laid, or that was at a similar stage of construction, before July 21, 1968.


(4) "freeboard" means the distance from the mark of the load line assigned under this chapter to the freeboard deck.

(5) "freeboard deck" means the deck or other structure the Secretary prescribes by regulation.

(6) "minimum safe freeboard" means the freeboard that the Secretary decides cannot be reduced safely without limiting the operation of the vessel.

(7) "weight of the overload" means the amount obtained by multiplying the number of inches that the vessel is submerged below the applicable assigned freeboard by the tons-an-inch immersion factor for the vessel at the assigned minimum safe freeboard.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, §5101(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1913.)

Editorial Notes HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section 5101

Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 86a.

Section 5101 contains definitions that are limited to Chapter 51—Load Lines. Existing Section 46 App. U.S.C. 86a (which defines only the terms "new ship" and "existing ship") will be replaced by section 5101. Definitions of technical terms ("freeboard", "freeboard deck", and "minimum safe freeboard") have been added for clarity. The definition of the term "new ship" has been deleted because the term is not used in Chapter 51. The definition of "domestic voyage" includes the phrase "places in or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States." "Places subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" include deep water ports, production platforms, mining sites outside of territorial waters of the United States but within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that was established by Presidential Proclamation 5030, dated March 10, 1983, or on the outer continental shelf. The phrases "economic benefit of overloading" and "weight of the overload" have been defined for purposes of establishing a standard method of determining the value of the cargo with which a vessel is overloaded. The value of the cargo will in turn affect the maximum penalty assessed for overloading the vessel. The definition of "freeboard deck" provides the Secretary with the authority to designate as the freeboard deck either the actual deck (on standard vessels) or another structure (on non-standard vessels). Non-standard vessels, for which this regulatory flexibility is necessary, include shelter deck vessels, semi-submersible multi-hull units, container ships, surface effect vessels, and commercial submarines.

TERMINATION OF TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, 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 C - Load Lines of Vessels
CHAPTER 51 - LOAD LINES
Sec. 5101 - Definitions
Contains section 5101
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Presidential Document Number References Proclamation 5030
Statutes at Large References 100 Stat. 1913
Public Law References Public Law 99-509
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. United States 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 state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.