Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§70012 Navigational Hazards

Title 46 › Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement › CHAPTER 700 — PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › SUBCHAPTER II — PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › § 70012

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must set up a program that asks fishermen and other boat operators to report pipeline hazards to Coast Guard field offices. If a pipeline operator reports a hazard, the Secretary must immediately tell Coast Guard headquarters, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, other federal and state agencies, and vessel owners and operators nearby. If anyone else reports a possible hazard, the Secretary must quickly check whether a hazard exists. If it does, the Secretary must immediately notify the same agencies and vessel owners and the pipeline’s owner and operator. Pipeline is defined by the meaning in 49 U.S.C. 60101(a)(18).

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70012

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(a)Reporting Procedure.—

The Secretary shall establish a program to encourage fishermen and other vessel operators to report potential or existing navigational hazards involving pipelines to the Secretary through Coast Guard field offices.

(b)Secretary’s Response.—

(1)Notification by the operator of a pipeline.—

Upon notification by the operator of a pipeline of a hazard to navigation with respect to that pipeline, the Secretary shall immediately notify Coast Guard headquarters, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, other affected Federal and State agencies, and vessel owners and operators in the pipeline’s vicinity.

(2)Notification by other persons.—

Upon notification by any other person of a hazard or potential hazard to navigation with respect to a pipeline, the Secretary shall promptly determine whether a hazard exists, and if so shall immediately notify Coast Guard headquarters, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, other affected Federal and State agencies, vessel owners and operators in the pipeline’s vicinity, and the owner and operator of the pipeline.

(c)Pipeline Defined.—

For purposes of this section, the term “pipeline” has the meaning given the term “pipeline facility” in section 60101(a)(18) of title 49.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70012

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110