Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 33 : Section 1904


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1904. Certificates

    (a) Issuance by authorized designees; restriction on issuance
      The Secretary shall designate those persons authorized to issue
    on behalf of the United States the certificates required by the
    MARPOL Protocol. A certificate required by the MARPOL Protocol
    shall not be issued to a ship which is registered in or of the
    nationality of a country which is not a party to the MARPOL
    Protocol.
    (b) Validity of foreign certificates
      A certificate issued by a country which is a party to the MARPOL
    Protocol has the same validity as a certificate issued by the
    Secretary under the authority of the MARPOL Protocol.
    (c) Location onboard vessel; inspection of vessels subject to
      jurisdiction of the United States
      A ship required by the MARPOL Protocol to have a certificate - 
        (1) shall carry a valid certificate onboard in the manner
      prescribed by the authority issuing the certificate; and
        (2) is subject to inspection while in a port or terminal under
      the jurisdiction of the United States.
    (d) Onboard inspections; other Federal inspection authority
      unaffected
      An inspection conducted under subsection (c)(2) of this section
    is limited to verifying whether or not a valid certificate is
    onboard, unless clear grounds exist which reasonably indicate that
    the condition of the ship or its equipment does not substantially
    agree with the particulars of its certificate. This section shall
    not limit the authority of any official or employee of the United
    States under any other treaty, law, or regulation to board and
    inspect a ship or its equipment.
    (e) Detention orders; duration of detention; shipyard option
      In addition to the penalties prescribed in section 1908 of this
    title, a ship required by the MARPOL Protocol to have a certificate
    - 
        (1) which does not have a valid certificate onboard; or
        (2) whose condition or whose equipment's condition does not
      substantially agree with the particulars of the certificate
      onboard;

    shall be detained by order of the Secretary at the port or terminal
    where the violation is discovered until, in the opinion of the
    Secretary, the ship can proceed to sea without presenting an
    unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment. The
    detention order may authorize the ship to proceed to the nearest
    appropriate available shipyard rather than remaining at the place
    where the violation was discovered.
    (f) Ship clearance or permits; refusal or revocation
      If a ship is under a detention order under this section, the
    Secretary of the Treasury, upon the request of the Secretary, may
    refuse or revoke - 
        (1) the clearance required by section 91 of title 46, Appendix;
      or
        (2) a permit to proceed under section 313 (!1) of title 46,
      Appendix, or section 1443 (!2) of title 19.


    (g) Review of detention orders; petition; determination by
      Secretary
      A person whose ship is subject to a detention order under this
    section may petition the Secretary, in the manner prescribed by
    regulation, to review the detention order. Upon receipt of a
    petition under this subsection, the Secretary shall affirm, modify,
    or withdraw the detention order within the time prescribed by
    regulation.
    (h) Compensation for loss or damage
      A ship unreasonably detained or delayed by the Secretary acting
    under the authority of this chapter is entitled to compensation for
    any loss or damage suffered thereby.



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