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46 U.S.C. 70002: Special powersText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 700-PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY

§70002. Special powers

The Secretary may order any vessel, in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or in the navigable waters of the United States, to operate or anchor in a manner the Secretary directs if⁠—

(1)  the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe such vessel does not comply with any regulation issued under section 70034 or any other applicable law or treaty;

(2)  the Secretary determines such vessel does not satisfy the conditions for port entry set forth in section 70021 or 70022 of this title; or

(3)  by reason of weather, visibility, sea conditions, port congestion, other hazardous circumstances, or the condition of such vessel, the Secretary is satisfied such direction is justified in the interest of safety.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 401(a) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4255 ; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8508(2)(A), Jan. 1, 2021 , 134 Stat. 4755 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021⁠—Par. (2). Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or 70022” after “section 70021”.