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Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73not60

§3821 Certificates

Title 33 › Chapter 51— CLEAN HULLS › Subchapter II— IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION › § 3821

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Convention takes effect for the United States, any ship of at least 400 gross tons that makes any international voyage must carry an International Antifouling System Certificate. This rule does not apply to fixed or floating platforms, FSUs, or FPSOs. The Certificate is given after a successful survey. The Secretary can issue it or let a qualified organization do so, and can set rules for keeping the Certificate. Certificates from other countries that joined the Convention are treated the same. Ships of 400+ tons from countries not in the Convention may use other documents the Secretary accepts.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §3821

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)On entry into force of the Convention for the United States, any vessel of at least 400 gross tons that engages in one or more international voyages (except fixed or floating platforms, FSUs, and FPSOs) shall carry an International Antifouling System Certificate.
(b)On entry into force of the Convention, on a finding that a successful survey required by the Convention has been completed, a vessel of at least 400 gross tons that engages in at least one international voyage (except fixed or floating platforms, FSUs, and FPSOs) shall be issued an International Antifouling System Certificate. The Secretary may issue the Certificate required by this section. The Secretary may delegate this authority to an organization that the Secretary determines is qualified to undertake that responsibility.
(c)The Certificate required by this section shall be maintained as required by the Secretary.
(d)A Certificate issued by any country that is a party to the Convention has the same validity as a Certificate issued by the Secretary under this section.
(e)Notwithstanding subsection (a), a vessel of at least 400 gross tons, having the nationality of or entitled to fly the flag of a country that is not a party to the Convention, may demonstrate compliance with this chapter through other appropriate documentation considered acceptable by the Secretary.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e), was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of Pub. L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 3821

Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60