Section 31306(a) requires that a person submitting an instrument transferring interest in a vessel to the Secretary for recording is also to file a declaration stating information about citizenship and other information to show that the transfer is not in violation of section 9 of the Shipping Act, or section 37 of that Act in a national emergency. This section makes no substantive change to law.

Section 31306(span) requires that a declaration filed by a corporation must be signed by the president, secretary, treasurer, or other official authorized by the corporation to execute the declaration. This section makes no substantive change to law.

Section 31306(c) invalidates any instrument transferring an interest until the declaration is filed. This section makes no substantive change to law.

Section 31306(d) provides for a criminal penalty for a violation of this section. The amount of the fine is prescribed under title 18, United States Code, and may include imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both. This section makes no substantive change to law.

2010—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 111–281 struck out “of Transportation” after “provided by the Secretary”.

2006—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 109–304 substituted “section 56102 or 56103 of this title” for “section 9 or 37 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 App. U.S.C. 808, 835)”.

1989—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 101–225, § 303(1)(A), substituted “Except as provided by the Secretary of Transportation, when” for “When” and “Secretary for filing” for “Secretary of Transportation for filing”.

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 101–225, § 303(1)(B), substituted “Except as provided by the Secretary, an” for “An”.

Section effective Jan. 1, 1989, with certain exceptions and qualifications, see section 107 of Puspan. L. 100–710, set out as a note under section 31301 of this title.