Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§3311 Certificate of Inspection Required

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 33 — INSPECTION GENERALLY › § 3311

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Vessels that need inspection cannot operate without a certificate issued under section 3309 on board. The Secretary may order the owner or other responsible person to moor and wait for the certificate, take immediate safety steps, or go to a place to make repairs so the vessel can get a certificate.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3311

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(a)Except as provided in subsection (b), a vessel subject to inspection under this part may not be operated without having on board a certificate of inspection issued under section 3309 of this title.
(b)The Secretary may direct the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel subject to inspection under this chapter and not having on board a certificate of inspection—
(1)to have the vessel proceed to mooring and remain there until a certificate of inspection is issued;
(2)to take immediate steps necessary for the safety of the vessel, individuals on board the vessel, or the environment; or
(3)to have the vessel proceed to a place to make repairs necessary to obtain a certificate of inspection.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 331146:390c46:39546:399 section 3311 prohibits the operation of a vessel subject to inspection without having on board a valid certificate of inspection.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1984—Pub. L. 98–498 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted “Except as provided in subsection (b), a vessel” for “A vessel”, struck out “valid” before “certificate of inspection”, and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3311

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102