US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 7701

General

(a)
The purpose of suspension and revocation proceedings is to promote safety at sea.
(b)
section 7703 of this title Licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents may be suspended or revoked for acts described in .
(c)
When a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document has been revoked under this chapter, the former holder may be issued a new license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document only after—
(1)
the Secretary decides, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the issuance is compatible with the requirement of good discipline and safety at sea; and
(2)
the former holder provides satisfactory proof that the bases for revocation are no longer valid.
(d)
The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 546 Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4103(c)104 Stat. 511 (, , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7701

46:239(g)

Section 7701 establishes the general purpose of suspension and revocation proceedings, which is to promote safety at sea. This section also provides the Secretary with the authority to suspend or revoke licenses, certificates, and documents, as well as the authority to issue a new license, certificate or document to an individual when the issuance is compatible with the requirements of good discipline and safety at sea. It also provides for necessary regulatory authority to carry out its purposes.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 101–3801990—Subsec. (c). amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “When a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document has been revoked under this chapter, the former holder may be issued a new license, certificate, or document only after it has been decided, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the issuance is compatible with the requirements of good discipline and safety at sea.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–380section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380section 2701 of Title 33Amendment by applicable to incidents occurring after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Navigation and Navigable Waters.