Section 3304 permits the carriage of not more than 12 individuals in addition to the crew on international voyages or not more than 16 individuals in addition to the crew on other voyages without subjecting a documented vessel carrying cargo to the inspection requirements of a passenger vessel. This section permits the bulk of vessels subject to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea to carry up to 12 passengers and to permit other cargo vessels, primarily those engaged in the coastwise trade, to carry up to 16 passengers without being categorized as passenger vessels. It also requires that these individuals be notified of the presence of dangerous articles or other conditions or circumstances that constitute a risk of safety. This is of prime importance on tank vessels that carry flammable or hazardous cargoes.

1986—Puspan. L. 99–307, § 1(5)(A)(i), substituted “Transporting” for “Carrying” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 99–307, § 1(5)(A)(ii), substituted “transporting cargo that transports” for “carrying cargo that carries” and inserted “if the vessel is otherwise subject to inspection under this chapter”.

Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 99–307, § 1(5)(A)(iii), substituted “Except when subsection (e) of this section applies, before” for “Before” and “transported” for “carried”.

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 99–307, § 1(5)(A)(iv), substituted “A privilege” for “The privilege”.

Subsec. (e). Puspan. L. 99–307, § 1(5)(A)(v), added subsec. (e).

1984—Subsec. (d). Puspan. L. 98–364 added subsec. (d).

Section effective Apr. 15, 1984, see section 2(g)(1) of Puspan. L. 98–89, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.