Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§4702 Abandonment of Barge Prohibited
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › CHAPTER 47 — ABANDONMENT OF VESSELS › SUBCHAPTER I — BARGES › § 4702
Summary
Owners or operators must not leave a barge abandoned on U.S. navigable waters. A barge is not considered abandoned if it is in a Federal- or State-approved mooring area, on private property with the landowner’s permission, or the owner/operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and provides its location.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §4702
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An owner or operator of a barge may not abandon it on the navigable waters of the United States. A barge is deemed not to be abandoned if—
(1)it is located at a Federally- or State-approved mooring area;
(2)it is on private property with the permission of the owner of the property; or
(3)the owner or operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and the location of the barge.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Pub. L. 109–304 struck out subsec. (a) designation before “An owner”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 4702
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102