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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§70114 Automatic Identification Systems

Title 46 › Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement › CHAPTER 701 — PORT SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL › § 70114

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Vessels must have and use an automatic identification system (AIS) while on U.S. navigable waters if they meet certain size or type rules. This covers self-propelled commercial vessels 65 feet or longer, vessels that carry more passengers for hire than the number the Secretary sets, towing vessels over 26 feet long and 600 horsepower, and any other vessel the Secretary finds needs AIS for safe navigation. The Secretary can exempt specific vessels or areas if AIS are not needed for safe navigation. The Secretary must also write rules about how to install, operate, and maintain AIS.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70114

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)System Requirements.—
(1)Subject to paragraph (2), the following vessels, while operating on the navigable waters of the United States, shall be equipped with and operate an automatic identification system under regulations prescribed by the Secretary:
(A)A self-propelled commercial vessel of at least 65 feet overall in length.
(B)A vessel carrying more than a number of passengers for hire determined by the Secretary.
(C)A towing vessel of more than 26 feet overall in length and 600 horsepower.
(D)Any other vessel for which the Secretary decides that an automatic identification system is necessary for the safe navigation of the vessel.
(2)The Secretary may—
(A)exempt a vessel from paragraph (1) if the Secretary finds that an automatic identification system is not necessary for the safe navigation of the vessel on the waters on which the vessel operates; and
(B)waive the application of paragraph (1) with respect to operation of vessels on navigable waters of the United States specified by the Secretary if the Secretary finds that automatic identification systems are not needed for safe navigation on those waters.
(b)Regulations.—
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations implementing subsection (a), including requirements for the operation and maintenance of the automatic identification systems required under subsection (a).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 107–295, title I, § 102(e), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2084, provided that: “(1) Schedule.—Section 70114 of title 46, United States Code, as enacted by this Act, shall apply as follows:“(A) On and after
January 1, 2003, to any vessel built after that date. “(B) On and after
July 1, 2003, to any vessel built before the date referred to in subparagraph (A) that is—“(i) a passenger vessel required to carry a certificate under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) [see 33 U.S.C. 1602 and notes thereunder]; “(ii) a tanker; or “(iii) a towing vessel engaged in moving a tank vessel. “(C) On and after
December 31, 2004, to all other vessels built before the date referred to in subparagraph (A). “(2) Definition.—The terms in this subsection have the same meaning as those terms have under section 2101 [now also 115] of title 46, United States Code.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70114

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110