Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part C — Load Lines of Vessels › CHAPTER 51 — LOAD LINES › § 5103
A vessel can only operate if it has official load lines assigned. The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, captain, and person in charge must mark and keep those load lines permanently visible in the way the Secretary requires. A fishing vessel built on or before July 1, 2013, that has a major conversion finished after the later of July 1, 2013, or the date the Secretary sets alternate-program standards must follow the alternate loadline program the Secretary prescribes and that is developed with the commercial fishing industry.
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Reference
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 5103
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102