US Code

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

46 U.S.C. § 8905

Exemptions

(a)
Section 8903 of this titlesection 4302(d) of this title applies to a recreational vessel operated in dealer demonstrations only if the Secretary decides that the application of section 8903 is necessary for recreational vessel safety under .
(b)
Section 8904 of this title does not apply to an oil spill response vessel while engaged in oil spill response or training activities.
(c)
section 8903 of this title After consultation with the Governor of Alaska and the State boating law administrator of Alaska, the Secretary may exempt an individual operating a self-propelled uninspected passenger vessel from the requirements of , if—
(1)
the individual only operates such vessel wholly within waters located in Alaska; and
(2)
such vessel is—
(A)
26 feet or less in length; and
(B)
carrying not more than 6 passengers.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 556 Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 734110 Stat. 3941 Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 606124 Stat. 2967 Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII134 Stat. 4700 (, , ; , title XI, § 1104(f), , , 3967; , , ; [LXXXIII], § 8317, , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

8905(a)

46:1461(f)

8905(b)

46:405(b)(3)

Section 8905 provides for certain exemptions from the requirements of this chapter.

Subsection (a) exempts dealer demonstration recreational vessels from the licensed operator requirement in section 8903 unless the Secretary decides that safety considerations require the application of that section.

Subsection (b) exempts an offshore supply vessel of less than 200 gross tons from the licensed operator requirement under section 8904 when used in the offshore mineral and oil industry.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–2832021—Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 111–281Section 8904 of this titlesection 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title2010—Subsecs. (b), (c). redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: “ does not apply to a vessel of less than 200 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under engaged in the offshore mineral and oil industry if the vessel has offshore mineral and oil industry sites or equipment as its ultimate destination or place of departure.”

Pub. L. 104–324, § 734section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title1996—Subsec. (b). , inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “200 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 104–324, § 1104(f)Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).