US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 3309

Certificate of inspection

(a)
section 3307 of this title When an inspection under has been made and a vessel has been found to be in compliance with the requirements of law and regulations, a certificate of inspection, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, shall be issued to the vessel.
(b)
The Secretary may issue a temporary certificate of inspection in place of a regular certificate of inspection issued under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)
At least 30 days before the current certificate of inspection issued to a vessel under subsection (a) of this section expires, the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of the vessel shall submit to the Secretary in writing a notice that the vessel—
(1)
will be required to be inspected; or
(2)
will not be operated so as to require an inspection.
(d)
A certificate of inspection issued under this section shall be signed by the senior Coast Guard member or civilian employee who inspected the vessel, in addition to the officer in charge of marine inspection.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 515Pub. L. 98–498, title II, § 211(a)98 Stat. 2303Pub. L. 104–324, title VI, § 606110 Stat. 3931Pub. L. 111–281, title V, § 522(c)124 Stat. 2957(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

3309

46:390c

46:391a(8)

46:395(d)

46:399

Section 3309 provides for the issuance of a certificate of inspection that attests to the fact that the vessel has been found to be in compliance with the applicable maritime safety laws and regulations. Under this provision the Coast Guard can issue a temporary certificate of inspection upon compliance with the applicable laws or regulations to facilitate the preparation, processing, and forwarding of the regular certificate of inspection to the vessel. A temporary certificate does not imply less than satisfactory compliance.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–2812010—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 104–3241996—Subsec. (c). struck out “(but not more than 60 days)” after “30 days” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 98–4981984—Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–498section 214 of Pub. L. 98–498section 2306 of this titleAmendment by effective 180 days after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date

section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98–89section 3101 of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .