Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§3505 Prevention of Departure

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 35 — CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS › § 3505

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Despite sec. 3303, a foreign vessel with U.S. passengers embarked in the U.S. may not depart if the Secretary finds it fails SOLAS safety standards the U.S. follows.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3505

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding section 3303 of this title, a foreign vessel carrying a citizen of the United States as a passenger or embarking passengers from a United States port may not depart from a United States port if the Secretary finds that the vessel does not comply with the standards stated in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to which the United States Government is currently a party.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 350546:362(c) section 3505 prohibits the departure from a United States port or place of any passenger vessel of more than 100 gross tons having berthing for at least 50 passengers, if the vessel does not comply with the international maritime safety standards applicable to United States vessels.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2004—Pub. L. 108–293 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Notwithstanding section 3303(a) of this title, a foreign vessel may not depart from a United States port with passengers who are embarked at that port, if the Secretary finds that the vessel does not comply with the standards stated in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to which the United States Government is currently a party.” 1992—Pub. L. 102–587 substituted “foreign vessel may not depart” for “foreign or domestic vessel of more than 100 gross tons having berth or stateroom accommodations for at least 50 passengers may not depart”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

International Convention for Safety of Life at SeaFor International Conventions for the Safety of Life at Sea to which the United States has been a party, see section 1602 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and notes thereunder.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3505

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102