Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§3710 Evidence of Compliance by Vessels of the United States

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 37 — CARRIAGE OF LIQUID BULK DANGEROUS CARGOES › § 3710

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

U.S. vessels that carry oil or bulk hazardous material must have an inspection certificate that shows they follow the rules. Certificates last no more than 5 years and can be renewed; the Secretary may issue a temporary one for up to 30 days and must suspend or cancel it if the vessel no longer meets the conditions.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3710

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A vessel of the United States to which this chapter applies that has on board oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or cargo residue must have a certificate of inspection issued under this part, endorsed to indicate that the vessel complies with regulations prescribed under this chapter.
(b)Each certificate endorsed under this section is valid for not more than 5 years and may be renewed as specified by the Secretary. In appropriate circumstances, the Secretary may issue a temporary certificate valid for not more than 30 days. A certificate shall be suspended or revoked if the Secretary finds that the vessel does not comply with the conditions under which the certificate was issued.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 371046:391a(8)(A)46:391a(8)(E) section 3710 prohibits any vessels of the United States subject to this chapter from having on board oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or in residue, unless it has a required Certificate of Inspection endorsed to indicate vessel compliance with applicable

Regulations

. Certificates shall be valid for a period not to exceed two years and may be renewed as specified by the Secretary. The Secretary may issue temporary certificates of not more than thirty days duration and may revoke or suspend any certificate under designated circumstances.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324 substituted “5 years” for “24 months”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3710

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102