§3301. Vessels subject to inspection

The following categories of vessels are subject to inspection under this part:

(1) freight vessels.

(2) nautical school vessels.

(3) offshore supply vessels.

(4) passenger vessels.

(5) sailing school vessels.

(6) seagoing barges.

(7) seagoing motor vessels.

(8) small passenger vessels.

(9) steam vessels.

(10) tank vessels.

(11) fish processing vessels.

(12) fish tender vessels.

(13) Great Lakes barges.

( Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 510 ; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, §402(2), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 445 ; Pub. L. 102–587, title V, §5208(b), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5076 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source section (U.S. Code)
3301(1)	46:391 46:404
3301(2)	46:1295f(c)
3301(3)	46:404–1
3301(4)	46:390a 46:391
3301(5)	46:390a
3301(6)	46:395
3301(7)	46:367
3301(8)	46:390a
3301(9)	46:362 46:391 46:405
3301(10)	46:391a

Section 3301 lists all classes of vessels that are subject to inspection and certification by the Coast Guard. This section represents one of the sought-after advantages of the bill to simplify access to the provisions of law governing the regulation of vessels. Under the present law, a vessel's inspection status must be determined by examining a table appearing at section 2.01–7A of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations that divides all vessels into more than 70 separate classes.

It is important to note that while the classes of vessels are now limited to ten, there is no prohibition against developing regulations to meet the special needs of various size vessels within any one category. For example, it is expected that the Coast Guard will continue the practice of establishing standards for freight vessels of not more than 100 gross tons and other standards for larger freight vessels.

It should also be noted that a particular vessel can, when engaged in various types of operations, be subject to varying inspection laws. For example, an offshore supply vessel could be classed as a small passenger vessel or a passenger vessel when it operates as a crew boat carrying individuals other than those defined in section 2101(21). If the offshore supply vessel is 500 gross tons and over it would then be subject to inspection as a seagoing motor vessel, a freight vessel, or a passenger vessel.

Amendments

1992-Par. (13). Pub. L. 102–587 added par. (13).

1984-Pars. (11), (12). Pub. L. 98–364 added pars. (11) and (12).

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–587 effective Nov. 4, 1992, for Great Lakes barges placed in operation after Nov. 4, 1992, and effective one year after Nov. 4, 1992, for Great Lakes barges in operation on Nov. 4, 1992, with provision for interim safety requirements, see section 5208(c), (d) of Pub. L. 102–587, set out as a note under section 2101 of this title.

Effective Date

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

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–498, title II, §210, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2303 , provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle A (§§210–214) of title II of Pub. L. 98–498, enacting section 2306 of this title, amending sections 2301, 3309, 3311, 3318, 6101, and 6103 of this title and section 183 of the Appendix to this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2306 of this title and section 183 of the Appendix to this title] may be cited as the 'Maritime Safety Act of 1984'."

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 2101, 3302 of this title.