Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§4702 Abandonment of barge prohibited
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 › § 4702
Summary
Do not abandon a barge on U.S. navigable waters. A barge is not considered abandoned if it is in a federal- or state‑approved mooring area, on private property with the property owner's permission, or if the owner or operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and gives its location.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §4702
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An owner or operator of a barge may not abandon it on the navigable waters of the United States. A barge is deemed not to be abandoned if—
(1)it is located at a Federally- or State-approved mooring area;
(2)it is on private property with the permission of the owner of the property; or
(3)the owner or operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and the location of the barge.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–304 struck out subsec. (a) designation before “An owner”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 4702
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73