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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§53203 Award of Operating Agreements

Title 46 › Subtitle V — Merchant Marine › Part C — Financial Assistance Programs › CHAPTER 532 — CABLE SECURITY FLEET › § 53203

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

A vessel's owner or operator (see section 53202(c)) must sign an Operating Agreement to join the Cable Fleet. The Secretary must accept applications within 60 days of the chapter's effective date and, within 120 days of each application, approve it with the Operating Agency or give a written denial. If funds are available, the Secretary must make Operating Agreements with vessels the Operating Agency selects as best for national security, prioritizing U.S. citizens under section 50501.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §53203

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
The Secretary shall require, as a condition of including any vessel in the Cable Fleet, that the person that is the owner or operator of the vessel for purposes of section 53202(c) enter into an Operating Agreement with the Secretary under this section.
(b)Procedure for Applications.—
(1)Acceptance of applications.—
Beginning no later than 60 days after the effective date of this chapter, the Secretary shall accept applications for enrollment of vessels in the Cable Fleet.
(2)Action on applications.—
Within 120 days after receipt of an application for enrollment of a vessel in the Cable Fleet, the Secretary shall approve the application in conjunction with the Operating Agency, and shall enter into an Operating Agreement with the applicant, or provide in writing the reason for denial of that application.
(c)Priority for Awarding Agreements.—
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall enter into Operating Agreements with those vessels determined by the Operating Agency, in its sole discretion, to best meet the national security requirements of the United States. After consideration of national security requirements, priority shall be given to an applicant that is a United States citizen under section 50501 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The

Effective Date

of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–92, which enacted this chapter and was approved Dec. 20, 2019.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 53203

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110