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46 U.S.C. 56307: Return of vesselsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 563-EMERGENCY ACQUISITION OF VESSELS

§56307. Return of vessels

When a vessel requisitioned for use but not ownership is returned to the owner, the Secretary of Transportation shall⁠—

(1)  return the vessel in a condition at least as good as when taken, less ordinary wear and tear; or

(2)  pay the owner an amount sufficient to recondition the vessel to that condition, less ordinary wear and tear.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c) , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1656 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

56307

46 App.:1242(a) (4th sentence).

June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title IX, § 902(a) (4th sentence), 49 Stat. 2015; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(131), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 165.

The words “requisitioned for use but not ownership” are substituted for “taken and used under authority of this section, but the ownership thereof is not required by the United States” to eliminate unnecessary words.