2018 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part F - Government-Owned Merchant Vessels
Chapter 575 - Construction, Charter, and Sale of Vessels
Subchapter III - Miscellaneous
Sec. 57532 - Operation of experimental vessels

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 57532 (2018)
Section Name §57532. Operation of experimental vessels
Section Text

(a) Definition.—In this section, the term "experimental vessel" means a vessel owned by the United States Government (including a vessel in the National Defense Reserve Fleet) that has been constructed, reconditioned, or remodeled for experimental or testing purposes.

(b) Authority To Operate.—The Secretary of Transportation, for the purpose of practical development, trial, and testing, may operate an experimental vessel under a bareboat charter or general agency agreement in the foreign or domestic trade of the United States or for use for the account of a department or agency of the Government, without regard to other provisions of this subtitle and other laws related to chartering and general agency operations. Not more than 10 vessels may be operated and tested under this section in any one year.

(c) Terms of Operation.—Operation of a vessel under this section shall be on terms the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. A bareboat charter under this section shall be at reasonable rates and include restrictions the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the public interest, including provisions for recapture of profits under section 57517 of this title. A charter or general agency agreement under this section shall be reviewed annually to determine whether conditions exist to justify continuance of the charter or agreement.

(d) Rights of Seamen.—A seaman engaged in vessel operations of the Secretary under this section and employed through a general agent in connection with a charter or agreement under this section is entitled to all the rights and remedies provided in sections 1(a) and (c), 3(c), and 4 of the Act of March 24, 1943 (50 U.S.C. 4701(a), (c), 4703(c), and 4704).

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3546(u), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2327.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
57532 46 App.:1205. June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title VII, §715, as added July 11, 1956, ch. 574, 70 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(117), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 164.

Subsection (d) is substituted for "Those provisions of law prescribed or incorporated under section 1241a of this Appendix, which relate to vessel operating activities of the Secretary of Transportation and to employment of seamen through general agents, shall be applicable in connection with charters and agreements entered into under this section" for clarity.

AMENDMENTS

2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "(50 U.S.C. 4701(a), (c), 4703(c), and 4704)" for "(50 App. U.S.C. 1291(a), (c), 1293(c), 1294)".

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 V - Merchant Marine
Part F - Government-Owned Merchant Vessels
CHAPTER 575 - CONSTRUCTION, CHARTER, AND SALE OF VESSELS
SUBCHAPTER III - MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 57532 - Operation of experimental vessels
Contains section 57532
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 70 Stat. 531
95 Stat. 164
120 Stat. 1670
132 Stat. 2327
Public Law References Public Law 97-31, Public Law 109-304, Public Law 115-232
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