Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§55113 Use of foreign documented oil spill response vessels
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— - Merchant Marine › Part Part D— - Promotional Programs › Chapter CHAPTER 551— - COASTWISE TRADE › § 55113
Summary
Even if other laws say otherwise, a foreign-registered oil spill response vessel may temporarily work in U.S. waters during an emergency to recover, carry, and unload oil at a U.S. port. This can happen only if U.S. vessels aren’t available in time, as the Federal On‑Scene Coordinator decides, and the foreign country gives U.S. vessels the same rights.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §55113
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an oil spill response vessel documented under the laws of a foreign country may operate in waters of the United States on an emergency and temporary basis, for the purpose of recovering, transporting, and unloading in a United States port oil discharged as a result of an oil spill in or near those waters, if—
(1)an adequate number and type of oil spill response vessels documented under the laws of the United States cannot be engaged to recover oil from an oil spill in or near those waters in a timely manner, as determined by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for a discharge or threat of a discharge of oil; and
(2)the foreign country has by its laws accorded to vessels of the United States the same privileges accorded to vessels of the foreign country under this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5511346:12101 note.Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, § 1117, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3973.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 55113
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73