Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§3313 Compliance with Certificate of Inspection

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 33 — INSPECTION GENERALLY › § 3313

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

A vessel must follow the conditions on its certificate of inspection while the certificate is valid, unless a suspension or an exemption under section 3306(e) applies. If the vessel does not meet its certificate or other required standards, the owner, master, or other person in charge must be told in writing to fix the problems quickly. The Secretary can allow repairs where it is most convenient if it is safe. The vessel can be ordered to stop operating, and the certificate can be suspended or revoked. If a life‑safety problem ordered fixed is not fixed at once, the certificate must be revoked. The owner or master must get written notice right away of any suspension or revocation and may appeal to the Secretary within 30 days under rules the Secretary sets.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3313

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(a)During the term of a vessel’s certificate of inspection, the vessel must be in compliance with its conditions, unless relieved by a suspension or an exemption granted under section 3306(e) of this title.
(b)When a vessel is not in compliance with its certificate or fails to meet a standard prescribed by this part or a regulation prescribed under this part—
(1)the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge shall be ordered in writing to correct the noted deficiencies promptly;
(2)the Secretary may permit any repairs to be made at a place most convenient to the owner, charterer, or managing operator when the Secretary decides the repairs can be made with safety to those on board and the vessel;
(3)the vessel may be required to cease operating at once; and
(4)if necessary, the certificate shall be suspended or revoked.
(c)The vessel’s certificate of inspection shall be revoked if a condition unsafe to life that is ordered to be corrected under this section is not corrected at once.
(d)The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel whose certificate has been suspended or revoked shall be given written notice immediately of the suspension or revocation. The owner or master may appeal to the Secretary the suspension or revocation within 30 days of receiving the notice, as provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 331346:390c46:391a(8)46:435 section 3313 requires a vessel to be maintained in a condition so as to always be in compliance with the applicable laws and

Regulations

. Here the master, owner, or other responsible party is required to maintain the vessel to inspection standards and to correct all deficiencies observed. When a vessel is not in compliance with its certificate the responsible parties shall be ordered in writing to correct the deficiencies promptly. The section provides flexibility as to when and where these deficiencies may be corrected consistent with the safety of the vessel and crew. The section provides authority to require the vessel to cease operating or, if necessary, to suspend or revoke its certificate of inspection when found not to be in compliance with its certificate or

Regulations

. The owner or master, or other responsible party must be given written notice and may appeal this action within 30 days of receiving the notice.

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. § 3313

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102