§891b. Vessels of Secretary; remodeling and improving

In addition to his power to recondition and repair vessels under section 871 of this Appendix, the Secretary of Transportation may remodel and improve vessels owned by the United States and in his possession or under his control, so as to equip them adequately for competition in the foreign trade of the United States. Any vessel so remodeled or improved shall be documented under the laws of the United States and shall remain documented under such laws for not less than five years from the date of the completion of the remodeling or improving and so long as there remains due the United States any money or interest on account of such vessel, and during such period it shall be operated only on voyages which are not exclusively coastwise.

(May 22, 1928, ch. 675, §202, 45 Stat. 690 ; Ex. Ord. No. 6166, §12, eff. June 10, 1933; June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, §204, title IX, §904, 49 Stat. 1987 , 2016; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(51), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 157 .)

Amendments

1981-Pub. L. 97–31 substituted "Secretary of Transportation" for "Commission" and "his" for "its" in three places. For prior transfers of functions, see Transfer of Functions note below.

Transfer of Functions

"United States Maritime Commission" substituted in text for "board", meaning United States Shipping Board. For dissolution of Board and transfer of functions to United States Maritime Commission, see Ex. Ord. No. 6166 and act June 29, 1936. Ex. Ord. No. 6166 is set out as a note under section 901 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. For subsequent transfers of functions, see Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1949, Reorg. Plan No. 21 of 1950, and Reorg. Plan No. 7 of 1961, set out under section 1111 of this Appendix.