§12115 Temporary Endorsement for Vessels Procured Outside the United States

Summary

Allows the Secretary and the Secretary of State, acting together, to issue a temporary U.S. certificate of documentation with an endorsement for a vessel bought outside the United States that meets the ownership rules in section 12103. Under limits the Secretary sets, the vessel may sail to the United States and do foreign trade or trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef while en route. The vessel is under U.S. law and jurisdiction. If the Secretary finds it in the public interest, the Secretary may pause a vessel inspection law or its regulations for up to 6 months. When the vessel arrives in the United States, the certificate must be turned in as the Secretary’s rules require.