16 U.S.C. § 1220a: Transfer of title; terms…

Summary

The Secretary can give old federal ships to a State for no charge if, after public comments under section 1220(c), the Secretary finds the State’s planned use won’t break federal law, harm the marine environment, interfere with commercial fishing or navigation, and isn’t frivolous. The State must promise the ships will be used and kept only as applied for and, if sunk, will be charted and marked. The State must get any needed federal permits, accept any other terms the Secretary requires to protect the environment and U.S. interests, and take the ships and titles at no cost (except aid under section 1220(c)(1)) in an “as-is—where-is” condition at the time and place set by the Secretary of Transportation.

Title 16, §1220a

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

If, after consideration of such comments and views as are received pursuant to section 1220(c) of this title, the Secretary finds that the use of obsolete ships proposed by a State will not violate any Federal law, contribute to degradation of the marine environment, create undue interference with commercial fishing or navigation, and is not frivolous, he may transfer without consideration to the State all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to any obsolete ships which are available for transfer under this chapter if—

(1)the State gives to the Secretary such assurances as he deems necessary that such ships will be utilized and maintained only for the purposes stated in the application and, when sunk, will be charted and marked as a hazard to navigation;

(2)the State agrees to secure any licenses or permits which may be required under the provisions of any other applicable Federal law;

(3)the State agrees to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary shall require in order to protect the marine environment and other interests of the United States; and

(4)the transfer would be at no cost to the Government (except for any financial assistance provided under section 1220(c)(1) of this title) with the State taking delivery of such obsolete ships and titles in an “as-is—where-is” condition at such place and time designated as may be determined by the Secretary of Transportation.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 1220(c)(1) of this title, referred to in par. (4), probably means section 7 of Pub. L. 92–402, which is classified to section 1220c–1 of this title.

Amendments

2006—Par. (4). Pub. L. 109–163 amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: “the transfer would be at no cost to the Government (except for any financial assistance provided under section 1220c–1 of this title) with the State taking delivery of such obsolete ships at fleetside of the National Defense Reserve Fleet in an ‘as is—where is’ condition.” 2002—Par. (4). Pub. L. 107–314 inserted “(except for any financial assistance provided under section 1220c–1 of this title)” after “at no cost to the Government”. 1984—Pub. L. 98–623 substituted “obsolete ships” for “Liberty ships” wherever appearing in provisions preceding par. (1) and in par. (4), and substituted “may transfer” for “shall transfer” in provisions preceding par. (1).

§1220a Transfer of Title; Terms and Conditions