Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§4305 Exemptions and Equivalents

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Vessels and Seamen › Part B— Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › Chapter 43— RECREATIONAL VESSELS › § 4305

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can allow an exemption from the chapter or its rules if doing so will not hurt the safety of recreational boats. The Secretary can also accept a different piece of equipment or a different safety standard for a recreational boat if it gives the same level of safety.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §4305

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(a)If the Secretary considers that recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected, the Secretary may issue an exemption from this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
(b)The Secretary may accept a substitution for associated equipment performance or other safety standards for a recreational vessel if the substitution provides an equivalent level of safety.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 430546:1458 section 4305 permits the Secretary to grant appropriate exemptions from the requirements of this chapter when recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “Exemptions and equivalents” for “Exemptions” in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 4305

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60