§4506. Exemptions

(a) The Secretary may exempt a vessel from any part of this chapter if, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary (including regulations on special operating conditions), the Secretary finds that-

(1) good cause exists for granting an exemption; and

(2) the safety of the vessel and those on board will not be adversely affected.

(b) A vessel to which this chapter applies is exempt from section 4502(b)(2)(B) of this title if it-

(1) is less than 36 feet in length; and

(2) is operating-

(A) in internal waters of the United States; or

(B) within 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.

(Added Pub. L. 100–424, §2(a), Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1587 ; amended Pub. L. 102–587, title V, §5222, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5081 ; Pub. L. 105–383, title III, §301(b)(6), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3417 .)

Amendments

1998-Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–383 added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "is not operating on the high seas."

1992-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–587 substituted "4502(b)(2)(B)" for "4502(b)(2)".

Territorial Sea of United States

For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.