Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§3710 Evidence of compliance by vessels of the United States

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part B— - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › Chapter CHAPTER 37— - CARRIAGE OF LIQUID BULK DANGEROUS CARGOES › § 3710

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A U.S. vessel that carries oil or hazardous material in bulk must have an inspection certificate that shows it meets the rules under this chapter. Certificates are valid for up to 5 years and can be renewed as the Secretary decides; the Secretary may issue a temporary certificate for up to 30 days and can suspend or revoke a certificate if the vessel no longer meets the conditions.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3710

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(a)A vessel of the United States to which this chapter applies that has on board oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or cargo residue must have a certificate of inspection issued under this part, endorsed to indicate that the vessel complies with regulations prescribed under this chapter.
(b)Each certificate endorsed under this section is valid for not more than 5 years and may be renewed as specified by the Secretary. In appropriate circumstances, the Secretary may issue a temporary certificate valid for not more than 30 days. A certificate shall be suspended or revoked if the Secretary finds that the vessel does not comply with the conditions under which the certificate was issued.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 371046:391a(8)(A)46:391a(8)(E) section 3710 prohibits any vessels of the United States subject to this chapter from having on board oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or in residue, unless it has a required Certificate of Inspection endorsed to indicate vessel compliance with applicable

Regulations

. Certificates shall be valid for a period not to exceed two years and may be renewed as specified by the Secretary. The Secretary may issue temporary certificates of not more than thirty days duration and may revoke or suspend any certificate under designated circumstances.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324 substituted “5 years” for “24 months”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3710

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73