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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73

§3711 Evidence of compliance by foreign vessels

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 › § 3711

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Foreign vessels must have a certificate from the Secretary to operate in U.S. navigable waters or to transfer oil or hazardous materials at U.S. ports. The Secretary issues the certificate after inspecting the ship and may use foreign documents issued under treaties. Certificates are valid for up to 24 months, may be renewed, and temporary ones can last up to 30 days. The Secretary must suspend or cancel a certificate if the ship no longer meets the conditions under which it was issued.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3711

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A foreign vessel to which this chapter applies may operate on the navigable waters of the United States, or transfer oil or hazardous material in a port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, only if the vessel has been issued a certificate of compliance by the Secretary. The Secretary may issue the certificate only after the vessel has been examined and found to be in compliance with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter. The Secretary may accept any part of a certificate, endorsement, or document, issued by the government of a foreign country under a treaty, convention, or other international agreement to which the United States is a party, as a basis for issuing a certificate of compliance.
(b)A certificate issued under this section is valid for not more than 24 months 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.
(c)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) 371146:391a(8)(B)46:391a(8)(C)46:391a(8)(E) section 3711 prohibits any foreign vessel from operating on the navigable waters of the United States or from transferring oil or hazardous material in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, unless it has a certificate of compliance issued by the Secretary indicating that the vessel has been examined and found to be in compliance with the provisions of the applicable

Regulations

. It also authorizes the Secretary to accept, in whole or in part, an appropriate foreign certificate issued pursuant to any international agreement to which the United States is a party, as a basis for issuing the certificate of compliance. This means that the Secretary does not have to accept foreign certificates as evidence of compliance, but may take additional action to assure compliance with applicable domestic laws and

Regulations

and international treaty provisions.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3711

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73