Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60
§51902 Gallant Ship Award
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— Merchant Marine › Part B— Merchant Marine Service › Chapter 519— MERCHANT MARINE AWARDS › § 51902
Summary
The Secretary may award a Gallant Ship Award, a plaque (replica kept as a permanent record), and ribbons to any vessel, including foreign, and crew for brave action saving life or property at sea. For foreign awards, the Secretary must consult Secretary of State.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §51902
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary of Transportation may award a Gallant Ship Award and a citation to a vessel (including a foreign vessel) participating in outstanding or gallant action in a marine disaster or other emergency to save life or property at sea. The Secretary may award a plaque to the vessel, and a replica of the plaque may be preserved as a permanent historical record.
(b)The Secretary of Transportation may award an appropriate citation ribbon bar to the master and each individual serving, at the time of the action, on a vessel issued an award under subsection (a).
(c)The Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the Secretary of State before awarding an award or citation to a foreign vessel or its crew under this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5190246 App.:2003.Pub. L. 100–324, § 4, May 30, 1988, 102 Stat. 576. In subsection (a), the words “a vessel (including a foreign vessel)” are substituted for “a United States vessel or to a foreign-flag vessel” to eliminate unnecessary words.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 51902
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60