(a) The official seal of the Federal Maritime Commission is described as follows: A shield argent paly of six gules, a chief azure charged with a fouled anchor or; shield and anchor outlined of the third; on a wreath argent and gules, an eagle displayed proper; all on a gold disc within a blue border, encircled by a gold rope outlined in blue, and bearing in white letters the inscription “Federal Maritime Commission” in upper portion and “1961” in lower portion. The monochrome version of the official seal appears in figure 1 to this section.

Figure 1 to § 501.100

(b) The shield and eagle above it are associated with the United States of America and denote the national scope of maritime affairs. The outer rope and fouled anchor are symbolic of seamen and waterborne transportation. The date “1961” has historical significance, indicating the year in which the Commission was created.

(c) The seal shall be judicially recognized in accordance with section 201(c) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 46101(d)).