Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§4506 Exemptions
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 45 — UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS › § 4506
Summary
The Secretary can exempt a vessel from parts of this chapter under rules the Secretary makes, including special conditions, if there is good reason and the vessel and people aboard remain safe.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §4506
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary may exempt a vessel from any part of this chapter if, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary (including regulations on special operating conditions), the Secretary finds that—
(1)good cause exists for granting an exemption; and
(2)the safety of the vessel and those on board will not be adversely affected.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2016—Pub. L. 114–120 struck out subsec. (a) designation before “The Secretary may”. 2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–281 struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: “A vessel to which this chapter applies is exempt from section 4502(b)(2)(B) of this title if it— “(1) is less than 36 feet in length; and “(2) is operating— “(A) in internal waters of the United States; or “(B) within 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.” 1998—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–383 added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “is not operating on the high seas.” 1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–587 substituted “4502(b)(2)(B)” for “4502(b)(2)”.
Executive Documents
Territorial Sea of United States For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 4506
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102