Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 4506

Exemptions

The Secretary may exempt a vessel from any part of this chapter if, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary (including regulations on special operating conditions), the Secretary finds that—
(1)
good cause exists for granting an exemption; and
(2)
the safety of the vessel and those on board will not be adversely affected.

Pub. L. 100–424, § 2(a)102 Stat. 1587 Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5222106 Stat. 5081 Pub. L. 105–383, title III, § 301(b)(6)112 Stat. 3417 Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 604(b)124 Stat. 2964 Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 306(a)(5)130 Stat. 54 (Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–1202016— struck out subsec. (a) designation before “The Secretary may”.

Pub. L. 111–281section 4502(b)(2)(B) of this title2010—Subsec. (b). struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: “A vessel to which this chapter applies is exempt from if it—

“(1) is less than 36 feet in length; and

“(2) is operating—

“(A) in internal waters of the United States; or

“(B) within 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.”

Pub. L. 105–3831998—Subsec. (b)(2). added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “is not operating on the high seas.”

Pub. L. 102–5871992—Subsec. (b). substituted “4502(b)(2)(B)” for “4502(b)(2)”.

Executive Documents

Territorial Sea of United States

section 1331 of Title 43For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under , Public Lands.