Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§4701 Definitions

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part B— - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › Chapter CHAPTER 47— - ABANDONMENT OF VESSELS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - BARGES › § 4701

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines terms for abandoned barges. 'Abandon' — leaving a barge over 100 gross tons unattended more than forty-five days, or mooring/stranding/wrecking/sinking it. 'Barge removal contractor' — contracted by the U.S. to remove it. 'Navigable waters' — U.S. waters, incl. territorial sea. 'Removal' — moving, selling, scrapping, or disposing.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §4701

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In this subchapter—
(1)“abandon” means to moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a barge of more than 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title unattended for longer than forty-five days.
(2)“barge removal contractor” means a person that enters into a contract with the United States to remove an abandoned barge under this subchapter.
(3)“navigable waters of the United States” means waters of the United States, including the territorial sea.
(4)“removal” or “remove” means relocation, sale, scrapping, or other method of disposal.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, § 7347(c)(1)(A), substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” in introductory provisions. Par. (2). Pub. L. 119–60, § 7347(c)(1)(B), substituted “subchapter” for “chapter”. 1996—Par. (1). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Application to Certain Barges Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5303, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5083, provided that: “Chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) [section 5302], does not apply to a barge abandoned before June 11, 1992, if the barge was removed before the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this title [Nov. 4, 1992].”

Executive Documents

Territorial Sea of United States For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 4701

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73