Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§5107 Delegation of Authority

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part C — Load Lines of Vessels › CHAPTER 51 — LOAD LINES › § 5107

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can let the American Bureau of Shipping or other qualified groups assign load lines, inspect vessels, check that the marks are correct, and issue load line certificates. Decisions about assigning a load line can be appealed to the Secretary under rules the Secretary sets. For ships on foreign voyages, the Secretary can give a country that is part of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 the same powers to inspect and issue an International Load Line Certificate (1966). The Secretary can end any delegation by sending written notice.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §5107

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary shall delegate to the American Bureau of Shipping or other similarly qualified organizations the authority to assign load lines, survey vessels, determine that load lines are marked correctly, and issue load line certificates under this chapter.
(b)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a decision of an organization delegated authority under subsection (a) of this section related to the assignment of a load line may be appealed to the Secretary.
(c)For a vessel intended to be engaged on a foreign voyage, the Secretary may delegate to another country that is a party to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, the authority to assign load lines, survey vessels, determine that the load lines are marked correctly, and issue an International Load Line Certificate (1966).
(d)The Secretary may terminate a delegation made under this section after giving written notice to the organization.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section 5107 Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 86d, 88b. section 5107(a) requires the Secretary to delegate the performance of various load line functions to the American Bureau of Shipping or other similarly qualified organizations. In providing for the delegation to a “similarly qualified organization,” the Committee expects that the Secretary will ensure that that organization complies with the same stringent standards and requirements for conducting business that apply to the American Bureau of Shipping. section 5107(b) permits an appeal to the Secretary of a decision by an organization that has received delegated authority. This ensures that the Secretary has full oversight of the delegated load line functions. section 5107(c) permits the Secretary to delegate various load line functions to another country for vessels that are engaged on a foreign voyage, provided that the country is a party to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966. section 5107(d) clarifies the Secretary’s authority to revoke a delegation at any time without cause. This authority is given so that no delay occurs administratively in revoking a delegation whenever the Secretary decides a revocation is warranted.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 5107

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102