Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§2117 Termination for Unsafe Operation

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part A — General Provisions › CHAPTER 21 — GENERAL › § 2117

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

An authorized enforcement officer may take three actions to keep vessels safe. They can take away a required certificate from any boat being run in a way that does not match that certificate; they can order the person in charge of a boat that does not have the required certificate to go back to a dock or mooring and stay there until the boat follows the rules; and if the officer sees the boat being operated in an unsafe way that creates an especially hazardous condition, the officer can order the person in charge to take immediate, reasonable steps for safety, including returning to a dock or mooring and staying there until the hazard is fixed.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §2117

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

An individual authorized to enforce this title—

(1)may remove a certificate required by this title from a vessel that is operating in a condition that does not comply with the provisions of the certificate;

(2)may order the individual in charge of a vessel that is operating that does not have on board the certificate required by this title to return the vessel to a mooring and to remain there until the vessel is in compliance with this title; and

(3)may direct the individual in charge of a vessel to which this title applies to immediately take reasonable steps necessary for the safety of individuals on board the vessel if the official observes the vessel being operated in an unsafe condition that the official believes creates an especially hazardous condition, including ordering the individual in charge to return the vessel to a mooring and to remain there until the situation creating the hazard is corrected or ended.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 2117

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102