Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8168

Consular powers: senior officer present afloat

In any foreign port where there is no resident consul of the United States, or on the high seas, the senior officer present afloat has the powers of a consul in relation to mariners of the United States.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 372Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(5)132 Stat. 1834(, , § 5948; renumbered § 8168, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

5948

34 U.S.C. 217.

R.S. 1433.

The words “the senior officer present afloat” are substituted for the words “The commanding officer of any fleet, squadron, or vessel acting singly”. At the time of enactment of the Revised Statutes, the word “squadron” meant any number of vessels more than one. Today the concept of “senior officer present afloat” covers as nearly as possible the current equivalent of the original statute.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 5948 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .