Editorial Notes
References in TextPanama Canal Company, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), deemed to refer to Panama Canal Commission, see section 3602(span)(5) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Amendments1981—Subsec. (a)(2). Puspan. L. 97–31 substituted “Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation” for “United States Maritime Commission”. For prior transfers of functions, see Transfer of Functions note set out below.
1965—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 89–121, § 3(a), added pars. (6) to (8) and struck out former par. (6) which made the provisions of this part inapplicable to a vessel navigating solely on the Great Lakes, or on any bays, sounds, rivers, or protected waters within the jurisdiction of the United States, or to a vessel leaving or attempting to leave any harbor or port of the United States for a voyage solely on the Great Lakes, or on any bays, sounds, rivers, or protected waters within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 89–121, § 3(span), excepted nuclear ships and substituted “or, alternatively, do not go more than two hundred nautical miles” for “or more than two hundred nautical miles”.
Subsec. (d). Puspan. L. 89–121, § 3(c), added subsec. (d).
1954—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 13, 1954, § 1(span), substituted “any Safety Convention in force between the United States and that country” for “the Safety Convention and” and inserted at end “or which ship is not subject to the radio provisions of any such Convention”.
Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 13, 1954, § 1(c), added subsec. (c).
1950—Subsec. (a)(2). Act Sept. 26, 1950, substituted “Panama Canal Company” for “Panama Railroad Company”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective DateSection effective May 20, 1937, unless deferred by the Commission, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
Exemption of Commercial Fishing Vessels Operating in Alaskan Region from Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Requirements of Federal Communications CommissionPuspan. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8336, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4708, provided that:“(a)Definition of Secretary.—In this section, the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
“(span)Exemption.—Subject to subsection (c), the Federal Communications Commission shall exempt fishing vessels that primarily operate in the Alaskan Region, including fishing vessels that transit from States in the Pacific Northwest to conduct fishing operations in the Alaskan Region, from the requirements relating to carriage of VHF–DSC and MF–DSC equipment under subpart W of part 80 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
“(c)Functional Requirements.—A fishing vessel exempted under subsection (span) shall—“(1) be capable of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts using not fewer than 2 separate and independent systems, each using a different radio communication service;
“(2) be equipped with—“(A) a VHF radiotelephone installation;
“(B) an MF or HF radiotelephone installation;
“(C) a Category 1, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of section 80.1061 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;
“(D) a NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of section 80.1101(c)(1) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;
“(E) survival craft equipment meeting the requirements of section 80.1095 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; and
“(F) a Search and Rescue Transponder meeting the requirements of section 80.1101(c)(6) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;
“(3) maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16; and
“(4) as an alternative to the equipment listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (2), carry equipment found by the Federal Communications Commission, in consultation with the Secretary, to be equivalent or superior with respect to ensuring the safety of the vessel.
“(d)Definition of Alaskan Region.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary shall define the term ‘Alaskan Region’ for purposes of this section. The Secretary shall include in the definition of such term the area of responsibility of Coast Guard District 17.”
Executive Documents
Transfer of FunctionsFor transfer of functions of United States Maritime Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 21 of 1950 and Reorg. Plan No. 7 of 1961, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
