US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 51701

United States Maritime Service

(a)

General Authority .—

The Secretary of Transportation may establish and maintain a voluntary organization, to be known as the United States Maritime Service, for the training of citizens of the United States to serve on merchant vessels of the United States and to perform functions to assist the United States merchant marine, as determined necessary by the Secretary.
(b)

Specific Authority .—

The Secretary may—
(1)
determine the number of individuals to be enrolled for training and reserve purposes in the Service;
(2)
fix the rates of pay and allowances of the individuals without regard to chapter 51 or subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5;
(3)
prescribe the course of study and the periods of training for the Service; and
(4)
prescribe the uniform of the Service and the rules on providing and wearing the uniform.
(c)

Ranks, Grades, and Ratings .—

The ranks, grades, and ratings for personnel of the Service shall be the same as those prescribed for personnel of the Coast Guard.
(d)

Medals and Awards .—

The Secretary may establish and maintain a medals and awards program to recognize distinguished service, superior achievement, professional performance, and other commendable achievement by personnel of the Service.

Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(b)120 Stat. 1582Pub. L. 109–163, div. C, title XXXV, § 3509119 Stat. 3557Pub. L. 109–364, div. C, title XXXV, § 3510(d)(1)120 Stat. 2520Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3523(a)(4)122 Stat. 599(, , ; , , ; , , ; , (b), , , 600.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

51701

46 App.:1295e.

June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XIII, § 1306, as added Pub. L. 96–453, § 2, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 2006; Pub. L. 108–136, title XXXV, § 3515(e), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1795.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–181, § 3523(b)Pub. L. 109–163, § 35092008—, repealed . See 2006 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 110–181, § 3523(a)(4)Pub. L. 109–163, § 3509section 18(a) of Pub. L. 109–304section 101 of this titleSubsec. (a). , incorporated the substance of the amendment by , into this section by substituting “of the United States and to perform functions to assist the United States merchant marine, as determined necessary by the Secretary.” for “of the United States.” See 2006 Amendment note below and , set out as a Legislative Purpose and Construction note preceding .

Pub. L. 109–163, § 3509Pub. L. 109–364, § 3510(d)(1)Pub. L. 110–181, § 3523(b)2006—, as amended by , which directed the amendment of section 1295e(a) of the former Appendix to this title from which subsec. (a) of this section was derived, was repealed by . See 2008 Amendment note for subsec. (a) and Historical and Revision notes above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–364, div. C, title XXXV, § 3510(d)(2)120 Stat. 2521

section 3509 of Pub. L. 109–163119 Stat. 3557Pub. L. 109–163“This subsection [amending which had amended section 1295e(a) of the former Appendix to this title, from which subsec. (a) of this section is derived] shall be effective immediately after section 3509 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 () [] takes effect [].”
, , , provided that: