US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 7703

Bases for suspension or revocation

A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued by the Secretary may be suspended or revoked if the holder—
(1)
when acting under the authority of that license, certificate, or document—
(A)
has violated or fails to comply with this subtitle, a regulation prescribed under this subtitle, or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety or to protect navigable waters; or
(B)
has committed an act of misconduct or negligence;
(2)
is convicted of an offense that would prevent the issuance or renewal of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document;
(3)
within the 3-year period preceding the initiation of the suspension or revocation proceeding is convicted of an offense described in section 30304(a)(3)(A) or (B) of title 49;
(4)
has committed an act of incompetence relating to the operation of a vessel; or
(5)
is a security risk that poses a threat to the safety or security of a vessel or a public or commercial structure located within or adjacent to the marine environment.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 546 Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(9)(E)99 Stat. 68 Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4103(b)104 Stat. 511 Pub. L. 108–293, title IV, § 408118 Stat. 1044 Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 901(h)(3)120 Stat. 564 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , title VI, § 609(3), , , 1058; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7703

46:226

46:239

46:240

46:246(c)

This section provides the bases for suspension and revocation of a license, certificate or document. The individual must have been operating under the authority of the required license, certificate, or document and has violated a law or regulation intended to promote marine safety or to protect the navigable waters or has committed an act of incompetence, misconduct, or negligence.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–24123 U.S.C. 4012006—Par. (3). struck out “( note)” after “of title 49”.

Pub. L. 108–293, § 408(1)2004—Par. (1)(B). , substituted “misconduct or” for “incompetence, misconduct, or”.

Pub. L. 108–293, § 609(3)Par. (3). , substituted “section 30304(a)(3)(A) or (B) of title 49” for “section 205(a)(3)(A) or (B) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982”.

Pub. L. 108–293, § 408(2)Pars. (4), (5). –(4), added pars. (4) and (5).

Pub. L. 101–3801990— amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued by the Secretary may be suspended or revoked if, when acting under the authority of that license, certificate, or document, the holder—

“(1) has violated or failed to comply with this subtitle, a regulation prescribed under this subtitle, or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety or to protect navigable waters.

“(2) has committed an act of incompetence, misconduct, or negligence.”

Pub. L. 99–361985— substituted “certificate of registry,” for first reference to “certificate,”.

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.