US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 4701

Definitions

In this subchapter—
(1)
section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title “abandon” means to moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a barge of more than 100 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under unattended for longer than forty-five days.
(2)
“barge removal contractor” means a person that enters into a contract with the United States to remove an abandoned barge under this subchapter.
(3)
“navigable waters of the United States” means waters of the United States, including the territorial sea.
(4)
“removal” or “remove” means relocation, sale, scrapping, or other method of disposal.

Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5302106 Stat. 5081 Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 718110 Stat. 3937 Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7347(c)(1)139 Stat. 1781 (Added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 119–60, § 7347(c)(1)(A)2025—, substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 119–60, § 7347(c)(1)(B)Par. (2). , substituted “subchapter” for “chapter”.

Pub. L. 104–324section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title1996—Par. (1). inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “100 gross tons”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Application to Certain Barges

Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5303106 Stat. 5083

“Chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) [section 5302], does not apply to a barge abandoned before , if the barge was removed before the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this title [].”
, , , provided that:

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.