US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 31341

Persons presumed to have authority to procure necessaries

(a)
The following persons are presumed to have authority to procure necessaries for a vessel:
(1)
the owner;
(2)
the master;
(3)
a person entrusted with the management of the vessel at the port of supply; or
(4)
an officer or agent appointed by—
(A)
the owner;
(B)
a charterer;
(C)
an owner pro hac vice; or
(D)
an agreed buyer in possession of the vessel.
(b)
A person tortiously or unlawfully in possession or charge of a vessel has no authority to procure necessaries for the vessel.

Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c)102 Stat. 4748Pub. L. 101–225, title III, § 303(5)103 Stat. 1924(, , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

31341(a)

46:972 (1st sentence), 973

31341(b)

46:972 (2d sentence)

pro hac viceSection 31341(a) lists those persons who are presumed to have authority to procure necessaries for a vessel. These include the owner, master, or a manager at the port of supply; and an officer or agent appointed by the owner, charterer, owner , or buyer in possession of the vessel. This subsection makes no substantive change to law.

Section 31341(b) provides that any person that is tortiously or unlawfully in possession of or in charge of a vessel has no authority to procure necessaries. This subsection makes no substantive change to law.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 101–2251989—Subsec. (a)(3). substituted “management” for “mangement”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 107 of Pub. L. 100–710section 31301 of this titleSection effective , with certain exceptions and qualifications, see , set out as a note under .