§12115 — Title 46 Shipping | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary and the Secretary of State together can let a ship bought outside the United States that meets the ownership rules in section 12103 get U.S. registration with a special endorsement. Under limits the Secretary sets, that ship can sail to the United States and carry goods on the way, including trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef. The ship must follow U.S. laws and is under U.S. authority, but the Secretary can pause an inspection rule or related regulation for up to 6 months if it is in the public interest. When the ship arrives in the United States, it must turn in its registration papers as the Secretary’s rules require.

Title 46, §12115

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary and the Secretary of State, acting jointly, may provide for the issuance of a certificate of documentation with an appropriate endorsement for a vessel procured outside the United States and meeting the ownership requirements of section 12103 of this title.

(b)Subject to limitations the Secretary may prescribe, a vessel documented under this section may proceed to the United States and engage en route in foreign trade or trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef.

(c)A vessel documented under this section is subject to the jurisdiction and laws of the United States. However, if the Secretary considers it to be in the public interest, the Secretary may suspend for a period of not more than 6 months the application of a vessel inspection law carried out by the Secretary or regulations prescribed under that law.

(d)On the vessel’s arrival in the United States, the certificate of documentation shall be surrendered as provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 12115(a)46:12112(a). 12115(b)46:12112(b) (1st sentence). 12115(c)46:12112(c). 12115(d)46:12112(b) (last sentence).

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 12115, Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 589, originally derived from section 65d of former Title 46, Shipping, related to names of vessels, prior to being repealed by Pub. L. 100–710, title I, §§ 106(b)(5), 107(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4752, effective Jan. 1, 1989.

§12115 Temporary Endorsement for Vessels Procured Outside the United States