Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§4303 Inspection and Testing
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 43 — RECREATIONAL VESSELS › § 4303
Summary
The Secretary can let a person, agency, or their staff do testing, inspections, and exams needed to enforce the rules or to collect data for making rules. The Secretary can set rules, supervise, and review any delegated work. The Secretary can also run research and tests, including buying experimental recreational boats or gear for testing, and may later sell those boats.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §4303
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(a)Subject to regulations, supervision, and reviews that the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may delegate to a person, private or public agency, or organization, or to an officer or employee under the supervision of that person or agency, any work, business, or function related to the testing, inspection, and examination necessary for compliance enforcement and for the development of data to enable the Secretary to prescribe regulations under section 4302 of this title.
(b)The Secretary may—
(1)conduct research, testing, and development necessary to carry out this chapter, including the procurement by negotiation or otherwise of experimental and other recreational vessels or associated equipment for research and testing purposes; and
(2)subsequently sell those vessels.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 430346:1457 section 4303 authorizes the Secretary to delegate to certain persons or agencies or organizations any work, business, or function related to the testing, inspection, and examination necessary for compliance
Enforcement
. The Secretary may also conduct research, testing, and development necessary to carry out this chapter, including procurement of vessels and equipment and their subsequent sale. The Committee wishes to make clear that the Secretary may sell anything that was purchased to test.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 4303
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102