
      The following categories of vessels are subject to inspection
    under this part:
        (1) freight vessels.
        (2) nautical school vessels.
        (3) offshore supply vessels.
        (4) passenger vessels.
        (5) sailing school vessels.
        (6) seagoing barges.
        (7) seagoing motor vessels.
        (8) small passenger vessels.
        (9) steam vessels.
        (10) tank vessels.
        (11) fish processing vessels.
        (12) fish tender vessels.
        (13) Great Lakes barges.
        (14) oil spill response vessels.

                       HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES                   
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
              Revised section               Source section (U.S. Code)  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    3301(1)                               46:391                        
                                          46:404                        
    3301(2)                               46:1295f(c)                   
    3301(3)                               46:404-1                      
    3301(4)                               46:390a                       
                                          46:391                        
    3301(5)                               46:390a                       
    3301(6)                               46:395                        
    3301(7)                               46:367                        
    3301(8)                               46:390a                       
    3301(9)                               46:362                        
                                          46:391                        
                                          46:405                        
    3301(10)                              46:391a                       
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Section 3301 lists all classes of vessels that are subject to
    inspection and certification by the Coast Guard. This section
    represents one of the sought-after advantages of the bill to
    simplify access to the provisions of law governing the regulation
    of vessels. Under the present law, a vessel's inspection status
    must be determined by examining a table appearing at section
    2.01-7A of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations that divides all
    vessels into more than 70 separate classes.
      It is important to note that while the classes of vessels are now
    limited to ten, there is no prohibition against developing
    regulations to meet the special needs of various size vessels
    within any one category. For example, it is expected that the Coast
    Guard will continue the practice of establishing standards for
    freight vessels of not more than 100 gross tons and other standards
    for larger freight vessels.
      It should also be noted that a particular vessel can, when
    engaged in various types of operations, be subject to varying
    inspection laws. For example, an offshore supply vessel could be
    classed as a small passenger vessel or a passenger vessel when it
    operates as a crew boat carrying individuals other than those
    defined in section 2101(21). If the offshore supply vessel is 500
    gross tons and over it would then be subject to inspection as a
    seagoing motor vessel, a freight vessel, or a passenger vessel.
                                AMENDMENTS                            
      1996 - Par. (14). Pub. L. 104-324 added par. (14).
      1992 - Par. (13). Pub. L. 102-587 added par. (13).
      1984 - Pars. (11), (12). Pub. L. 98-364 added pars. (11) and
    (12).
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT                 
      Amendment by Pub. L. 102-587 effective Nov. 4, 1992, for Great
    Lakes barges placed in operation after Nov. 4, 1992, and effective
    one year after Nov. 4, 1992, for Great Lakes barges in operation on
    Nov. 4, 1992, with provision for interim safety requirements, see
    section 5208(c), (d) of Pub. L. 102-587, set out as a note under
    section 2101 of this title.
                              EFFECTIVE DATE                          
      Chapter effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L.
    98-89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.
                       SHORT TITLE OF 1984 AMENDMENT                   
      Pub. L. 98-498, title II, Sec. 210, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2303,
    provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle A (Secs. 210-214) of title
    II of Pub. L. 98-498, enacting section 2306 of this title, amending
    sections 2301, 3309, 3311, 3318, 6101, and 6103 of this title and
    section 183 of the Appendix to this title, and enacting provisions
    set out as notes under section 2306 of this title and section 183
    of the Appendix to this title] may be cited as the 'Maritime Safety
    Act of 1984'."
                               PILOT PROGRAM                           
      Pub. L. 105-383, title IV, Sec. 412(b), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat.
    3432, provided that:
      "(1) In general. - The Secretary may establish a pilot program to
    exempt a vessel of at least 300 gross tons as measured under
    chapter 143 or chapter 145 of title 46, United States Code, from
    the requirement to be inspected under section 3301(7) of title 46,
    United States Code, as a seagoing motor vessel, if - 
        "(A) the vessel does not carry any cargo or passengers for
      hire;
        "(B) the vessel does not engage in commercial service,
      commercial fisheries, or oceanographic research; and
        "(C) the vessel does not engage in towing.
      "(2) Expiration of authority. - The authority to grant the
    exemptions under this subsection expires 2 years after the date of
    the enactment of this Act [Nov. 13, 1998]. Any specific exemptions
    granted under this subsection shall nonetheless remain in effect."
       SMALL PASSENGER VESSEL PILOT INSPECTION PROGRAM WITH STATE OF
                                 MINNESOTA
      Section 1122 of Pub. L. 104-324 provided that:
      "(a) In General. - The Secretary may enter into an agreement with
    the State under which the State may inspect small passenger vessels
    operating in waters of that State designated by the Secretary, if -
    
        "(1) the State plan for the inspection of small passenger
      vessels meets such requirements as the Secretary may require to
      ensure the safety and operation of such vessels in accordance
      with the standards that would apply if the Coast Guard were
      inspecting such vessels; and
        "(2) the State will provide such information obtained through
      the inspection program to the Secretary annually in such form and
      in such detail as the Secretary may require.
      "(b) Fees. - The Secretary may adjust or waive the user fee
    imposed under section 3317 of title 46, United States Code, for the
    inspection of small passenger vessels inspected under the State
    program.
      "(c) Termination. - The authority provided by subsection (a)
    terminates on December 31, 1999.
      "(d) Definitions. - For purposes of this section - 
        "(1) Secretary. - The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of
      the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
        "(2) State. - The term 'State' means the State of Minnesota.
        "(3) Small passenger vessel. - The term 'small passenger
      vessel' means a small passenger vessel (as defined in section
      2101(35) of title 46, United States Code) of not more than 40
      feet overall in length."
      [For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of
    the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the
    Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of
    Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
    sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic
    Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization
    Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under
    section 542 of Title 6.]
Last modified: April 20, 2006