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Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110

§3821 Certificates

Title 33 › CHAPTER 51 — CLEAN HULLS › SUBCHAPTER II — IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION › § 3821

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Convention starts to apply to the United States, any ship of 400 gross tons or more that makes at least one international voyage must carry an International Antifouling System Certificate. Fixed or floating platforms, FSUs, and FPSOs are not covered. The certificate is given after the required survey is finished. The Secretary can issue the certificate or let a qualified organization do it. Holders must keep the certificate as the Secretary requires. Certificates from other countries that are party to the Convention are equally valid. Ships from countries not in the Convention may use other documents the Secretary accepts to show they comply.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §3821

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Certificate required
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)Issuance of Certificate
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)Maintenance of Certificate
The Certificate required by this section shall be maintained as required by the Secretary.
(d)Certificates issued by other party countries
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)Vessels of nonparty countries
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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110