Shipping - 46 USC Appendix Section 316a

01/19/04

Sec. 316a. Vessel escort operations and towing assistance

(a) In general
Except in the case of a vessel in distress, only a vessel of the
United States (as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 46)
may perform the following escort vessel operations within the
navigable waters of the United States:
(1) Operations that commence or terminate at a port or place in
the United States.
(2) Operations required by United States law or regulation.
(3) Operations provided in whole or in part within or through
navigation facilities owned, maintained, or operated by the
United States Government or the approaches to those facilities,
other than facilities operated by the St. Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation on the St. Lawrence River portion of the
Seaway.
(b) Addition to towing vessel
In the case of a vessel being towed under section 316(a) of this
Appendix, an escort vessel is any vessel assigned and dedicated to
the vessel being towed in addition to any towing vessel required
under that section.
(c) Relationship to other law
Nothing in this section shall affect or be construed or
interpreted to affect or modify section 316(a) of this Appendix.
(d) Definition
In this section, the term "escort vessel" means any vessel that
is assigned and dedicated to assist another vessel, whether or not
tethered to that vessel, solely as a safety precaution to assist in
controlling the speed or course of the assisted vessel in the event
of a steering or propulsion equipment failure, or any other similar
emergency circumstance, or in restricted waters where additional
assistance in maneuvering the vessel is required to ensure its safe
operation.
(e) Penalty
A person violating this section is liable to the United States
Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each
day during which the violation occurs.

Last modified: April 20, 2006