1625-0079 Stat/Authority

Page 121

TITLE 46—SHIPPING
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS

1985—Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(9)(B), May 15, 1985, 99 Stat.
67, substituted ‘‘Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and’’ for ‘‘Licenses, Certificates, and Merchant
Mariners’ ’’ in part E heading.

CHAPTER 71—LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
OF REGISTRY
Sec.

7101.
7102.
7103.
7104.
7105.
7106.
7107.
7108.
7109.
7110.
7111.
7112.
7113.
7114.
[7115.
7116.

Issuing and classifying licenses and certificates of registry.
Citizenship.
Licenses for radio officers.
Certificates for medical doctors and nurses.
Oaths.
Duration of licenses.
Duration of certificates of registry.
Termination of licenses and certificates of
registry.
Review of criminal records.
Exhibiting licenses.
Oral examinations for licenses.
Licenses of masters or mates as pilots.
Exemption from draft.
Fees.
Repealed.]
Examinations for merchant mariner credentials.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, title VI, § 601(c)(2), Dec. 4, 2018,
132 Stat. 4289, struck out item 7115 ‘‘Merchant Mariner
Medical Advisory Committee’’.
2016—Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(b)(2), Feb. 8, 2016,
130 Stat. 62, added item 7116.
2010—Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124
Stat. 2914, added item 7115.
1990—Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4102(e)(2), Aug. 18,
1990, 104 Stat. 510, substituted ‘‘Review of criminal
records’’ for ‘‘Renewal of licenses’’ in item 7109.
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(8)(A), July 17, 1984,
98 Stat. 447, substituted ‘‘Oral examinations for licenses’’ for ‘‘Licenses for fishing vessels not subject to
inspection’’ in item 7111.

§ 7101. Issuing and classifying licenses and certificates of registry
(a) Licenses and certificates of registry are established for individuals who are required to
hold licenses or certificates under this subtitle.
(b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary—
(1) issues the licenses and certificates of registry; and
(2) may classify the licenses and certificates
of registry as provided in subsections (c) and
(f) of this section, based on—
(A) the tonnage, means of propulsion, and
horsepower of machine-propelled vessels;
(B) the waters on which vessels are to be
operated; or
(C) other reasonable standards.
(c) The Secretary may issue licenses in the following classes to applicants found qualified as
to age, character, habits of life, experience, professional qualifications, and physical fitness:
(1) masters, mates, and engineers.
(2) pilots.
(3) operators.
(4) radio officers.

§ 7101

(d) In classifying individuals under subsection
(c)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall establish, when possible, suitable career patterns and
service and other qualifying requirements appropriate to the particular service or industry in
which the individuals are engaged.
(e) An individual may be issued a license under
subsection (c)(2) of this section only if the applicant—
(1) is at least 21 years of age;
(2) is of sound health and has no physical
limitations that would hinder or prevent the
performance of a pilot’s duties;
(3) has a thorough physical examination
each year while holding the license, except
that this requirement does not apply to an individual who will serve as a pilot only on a
vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons as measured
under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of
this title as prescribed by the Secretary under
section 14104 of this title;
(4) demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the
Secretary, that the applicant has the requisite
general knowledge and skill to hold the license;
(5) demonstrates proficiency in the use of
electronic aids to navigation;
(6) maintains adequate knowledge of the waters to be navigated and knowledge of regulations for the prevention of collisions in those
waters;
(7) has sufficient experience, as decided by
the Secretary, to evidence ability to handle
any vessel of the type and size which the applicant may be authorized to pilot; and
(8) meets any other requirement the Secretary considers reasonable and necessary.
(f) The Secretary may issue certificates of registry in the following classes to applicants found
qualified as to character, knowledge, skill, and
experience:
(1) pursers.
(2) medical doctors.
(3) professional nurses.
(g) The Secretary may not issue a license or
certificate of registry under this section unless
an individual applying for the license or certificate makes available to the Secretary, under
section 206(b)(7) of the National Driver Register
Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C. 401 note), any information
contained in the National Driver Register related to an offense described in section
205(a)(3)(A) or (B) of that Act committed by the
individual.
(h) The Secretary may review the criminal
record of an individual who applies for a license
or certificate of registry under this section.
(i) The Secretary shall require the testing of
an individual who applies for issuance or renewal of a license or certificate of registry
under this chapter for use of a dangerous drug in
violation of law or Federal regulation.
(j) The Secretary may issue a license under
this section in a class under subsection (c) to an
applicant that—
(1) has at least 3 months of qualifying service on vessels of the uniformed services (as
that term is defined in section 101(a) of title
10) of appropriate tonnage or horsepower with-

§ 7102

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

in the 7-year period immediately preceding the
date of application; and
(2) satisfies all other requirements for such a
license.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 539; Pub. L.
98–557, § 29(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2873; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4101(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 720, Oct. 19, 1996,
110 Stat. 3938; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 305(a),
Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3043.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7101 ..............................................

46:214
46:224
46:226
46:228
46:229
46:229a
46:229b
46:242
46:243
46:244
46:247

Section 7101(a) provides the authority for the establishment of licenses and certificates of registry for officers and individuals operating vessels who are required
to hold them under Subtitle II.
Subsection (b) authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses and certificates of registry based on tonnage,
means of propulsion, horsepower, vessel operating area,
and other reasonable standards.
Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses to masters, mates, engineers, pilots, operators,
and radio officers when found qualified as to age, character, habits of life, experience, professional qualifications, and physical fitness. These qualifying standards
must by necessity be reasonable and related to the rigors of the profession.
Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to establish,
when possible, suitable career patterns and service for
and other qualifying requirements appropriate to the
particular service or industry for the individuals so engaged.
Subsection (e) sets forth the requirements that pilots
must meet before being issued a license.
Subsection (f) authorizes the Secretary to issue certificates of registry to qualified individuals as pursers,
medical doctors, and professional nurses.
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Sections 205(a)(3)(A) or (B) and 206(b)(7) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982, referred to in subsec.
(g), are sections 205(a)(3)(A), (B) and 206(b)(7) of Pub. L.
97–364, which are set out as a note under section 401 of
Title 23, Highways.
AMENDMENTS
2014—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 113–281 added subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted ‘‘as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate
tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as
prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this
title’’ after ‘‘1,600 gross tons’’.
1990—Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 101–380 added subsecs.
(g) to (i).
1984—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 98–557 inserted exemption
for pilots on a vessel of less than 1,600 gross tons.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Page 122

PLAN FOR LICENSING OPERATORS OF FISHING INDUSTRY
VESSELS
Pub. L. 100–424, § 3, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1590, required the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating, within two years after Sept.
9, 1988, to prepare and submit to the Congress a plan for
the licensing of operators of documented fishing, fish
processing, and fish tender vessels.

§ 7102. Citizenship
Licenses and certificates of registry for individuals on documented vessels may be issued
only to citizens of the United States.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7102 ..............................................

46:242
46:1132(a)

Section 7102 requires that any individual issued a license or certificate of registry allowing the individual
to be engaged on a documented vessel must be a U.S.
citizen.

§ 7103. Licenses for radio officers
(a) A license as radio officer may be issued
only to an applicant who has a first-class or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued
by the Federal Communications Commission.
(b) Except as provided in section 7318 of this
title, this part does not affect the status of radiotelegraph operators serving on board vessels
operating only on the Great Lakes.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7103 ..............................................

46:229a
46:229b
46:229g

Section 7103 requires an applicant for a license as a
radio officer to have, as a prerequisite, a first-class or
second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It also
excepts radiotelegraph operators that are engaged on
Great Lakes vessels from the requirement of having to
obtain a radio officer’s license.

§ 7104. Certificates
nurses

for

medical

doctors

and

A certificate of registry as a medical doctor or
professional nurse may be issued only to an applicant who has a license as a medical doctor or
registered nurse, respectively, issued by a State.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7104 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:243

Section 7104 requires an applicant for a certificate of
registry as a medical doctor or professional nurse to
have, as a prerequisite, a license as a medical doctor or
registered nurse issued by a State.

§ 7105. Oaths
An applicant for a license or certificate of registry shall take, before the issuance of the li-

Page 123

§ 7107

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

cense or certificate, an oath, without concealment or reservation, that the applicant will perform faithfully and honestly, according to the
best skill and judgment of the applicant, all the
duties required by law.

continuous possession by the holder of a first-class or
second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by
the Federal Communications Commission.’’
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 inserted ‘‘and may be renewed
for additional 5-year periods’’ after ‘‘for 5 years’’.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
111–281, title VI, § 613, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat.
2970.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7105 ..............................................

46:229e
46:231
46:244

Section 7105 requires all individuals who wish to be
issued a license or certificate of registry to take an
oath before a government official that they will perform all the duties required by law according to their
best skill and judgment.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 struck out ‘‘before a designated
official’’ after ‘‘an oath’’.

§ 7106. Duration of licenses

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
TERMINATION OF
AND DOCUMENTS;

EXISTING LICENSES, CERTIFICATES,
APPLICABILITY OF 1990 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4102(d), Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 510, provided that: ‘‘A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued before
the date of the enactment of this section [Aug. 18, 1990]
terminates on the day it would have expired if—
‘‘(1) subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 7107 and 7302 of this title] were in
effect on the date it was issued; and
‘‘(2) it was renewed at the end of each 5-year period
under section 7106, 7107, or 7302 of title 46, United
States Code.’’

§ 7107. Duration of certificates of registry

(a) IN GENERAL.—A license issued under this
part is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that
the validity of a license issued to a radio officer
is conditioned on the continuous possession by
the holder of a first-class or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission.
(b) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed license
issued under this part may be issued up to 8
months in advance but is not effective until the
date that the previously issued license expires
or until the completion of any active suspension
or revocation of that previously issued license,
whichever is later.

(a) IN GENERAL.—A certificate of registry
issued under this part is valid for a 5-year period
and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that the validity of a certificate
issued to a medical doctor or professional nurse
is conditioned on the continuous possession by
the holder of a license as a medical doctor or
registered nurse, respectively, issued by a State.
(b) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed certificate of registry issued under this part may be
issued up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the date that the previously issued
certificate of registry expires or until the completion of any active suspension or revocation of
that previously issued certificate of registry,
whichever is later.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 614(b), Oct. 15, 2010,
124 Stat. 2970; Pub. L. 115–282, title V, § 510(1),
Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4274.)

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(b), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
509; Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 614(c), Oct. 15, 2010,
124 Stat. 2971; Pub. L. 115–282, title V, § 510(2),
Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4274.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7106 ..............................................

46:214(c)
46:225
46:226
46:228
46:229
46:229c

Section 7106 sets a 5 year time limit on the validity
of a license. It also requires a licensed radio officer to
be in continuous possession of an FCC license.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–282 substituted ‘‘license,
whichever’’ for ‘‘merchant mariner’s document, whichever’’.
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘A license issued
under this part is valid for 5 years and may be renewed
for additional 5-year periods. However, the validity of a
license issued to a radio officer is conditioned on the

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7107 ..............................................

46:243

Section 7107 specifies that there is no time limit on
the validity of a certificate of registry issued to a medical doctor or a professional nurse but is conditioned on
the continuous possession of the appropriate license
issued by a State.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–282 substituted ‘‘certificate of registry, whichever’’ for ‘‘merchant mariner’s
document, whichever’’.
2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘A certificate of
registry issued under this part is valid for 5 years and
may be renewed for additional 5-year periods. However,
the validity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor
or professional nurse is conditioned on the continuous
possession by the holder of a license as a medical doc-

§ 7108

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

tor or registered nurse, respectively, issued by a
State.’’
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 substituted ‘‘is valid for 5 years
and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods’’ for
‘‘is not limited in duration’’.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
TERMINATION OF
AND DOCUMENTS;

EXISTING LICENSES, CERTIFICATES,
APPLICABILITY OF 1990 AMENDMENT

For provisions that a certificate of registry issued before Aug. 18, 1990, terminates on the day it would have
expired if the amendment to this section by Pub. L.
101–380 were in effect on date it was issued and was renewed at the end of each 5-year period under this section, see section 4102(d) of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as a
note under section 7106 of this title.

§ 7108. Termination of licenses and certificates of
registry
When the holder of a license or certificate of
registry, the duration of which is conditioned
under section 7106 or 7107 of this title, fails to
hold the license required as a condition, the license or certificate of registry issued under this
part is terminated.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7108 ..............................................

46:229c
46:243

Page 124

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

§ 7110. Exhibiting licenses
Each holder of a license issued under this part
shall display, within 48 hours after employment
on a vessel for which that license is required,
the license in a conspicuous place on the vessel.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7109 ..............................................

Section 7110 requires licensed individuals to display
the license in a conspicuous place on the vessel within
48 hours after they are employed.

§ 7111. Oral examinations for licenses
An individual may take an oral examination
for a license to serve on a fishing, fish processing, or fish tender vessel not required to be
inspected under part B of this subtitle.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(8)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
447; Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(10), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat.
445.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7109 ..............................................

Section 7108 specifies if any individual issued a license or certificate of registry fails to have the required FCC or appropriate State medical license, the license or certificate is automatically terminated. The
suspension and revocation procedures provided in chapter 77 are not applicable in these cases.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 540; Pub. L.
101–380, title IV, § 4102(e)(1), Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 510.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

7109 ..............................................

46:225
46:233

Section 7109 authorizes the Secretary to renew licenses and certificates of registry for additional 5 year
periods.
Editorial Notes

46:224a(2)

Section 7111 provides for oral tests for licenses for individuals on fishing vessels that are not required to be
inspected under part B.
Editorial Notes

§ 7109. Review of criminal records
The Secretary may review the criminal record
of each holder of a license or certificate of registry issued under this part who applies for renewal of that license or certificate of registry.

46:229f
46:232

AMENDMENTS
1986—Pub. L. 99–307 substituted ‘‘part’’ for ‘‘Part’’.
1984—Pub. L. 98–364 substituted in section catchline
‘‘Oral examinations for licenses’’ for ‘‘Licenses for fishing vessels not subject to inspection’’ and in text ‘‘An
individual may take an oral examination for a license
to serve on a fishing, fish processing, or fish tender vessel not required to be inspected under Part B of this
subtitle’’ for ‘‘Examinations for licensing individuals
on fishing vessels not required to be inspected under
part B of this subtitle shall be oral’’.

§ 7112. Licenses of masters or mates as pilots
A master or mate licensed under this part who
also qualifies as a pilot is not required to hold 2
licenses. Instead, the qualification of the master
or mate as pilot shall be endorsed on the master’s or mate’s license.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

AMENDMENTS
1990—Pub. L. 101–380 substituted ‘‘Review of criminal
records’’ for ‘‘Renewal of licenses’’ in section catchline
and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text
read as follows: ‘‘A license issued under this part may
be renewed for additional 5-year periods.’’

Revised section
7112 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:230

Section 7112 provides for the endorsement of a master’s or mate’s license as a pilot if they meet those

Page 125

§ 7301

TITLE 46—SHIPPING

specifications. These individuals do not have to hold
two separate licenses.

§ 7113. Exemption from draft
A licensed master, mate, pilot, or engineer of
a vessel inspected under part B of this subtitle,
propelled by machinery or carrying hazardous
liquid cargoes in bulk, is not liable to draft in
time of war, except for performing duties authorized by the license. When performing those
duties in the service of the United States Government, the master, mate, pilot, or engineer is
entitled to the highest rate of wages paid in the
merchant marine of the United States for similar services. If killed or wounded when performing those duties, the master, mate, pilot, or
engineer, or the heirs or legal representatives of
the master, mate, pilot, or engineer, are entitled
to all the privileges under the pension laws of
the United States provided to members of the
Armed Forces.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7113 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)
46:225

Section 7113 exempts licensed masters, mates, pilots,
and engineers of inspected vessels that are propelled by
machinery or carrying hazardous liquid cargo from the
Selective Service draft in time of war.
This section also provides that, while serving in that
capacity during war, they shall be entitled to the highest rate of pay paid in the U.S. merchant marine for
similar services.
If a master, mate, pilot, or engineer is killed or
wounded when performing those duties during a war,
these individuals, their heirs or legal representatives,
are entitled to all the privileges provided to members
of the Armed Forces under the pension laws of the
United States.

§ 7114. Fees

chant mariner examination topics on an annual
basis.
(b) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each sample examination and outline of topics developed under
subsection (a) shall be readily available to the
public.
(c) MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL DEFINED.—
In this section, the term ‘‘merchant mariner
credential’’ has the meaning that term has in
section 7510.
(Added Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 315(b)(1), Feb.
8, 2016, 130 Stat. 62.)
CHAPTER 73—MERCHANT MARINERS’
DOCUMENTS
Sec.

7301.
7302.
7303.
7304.
7305.
7306.
7307.
7308.
7309.
7310.
7311.
7311a.
7312.
7313.
7314.
7315.
7316.
7317.
7318.
7319.

General.
Issuing merchant mariners’ documents and
continuous discharge books.
Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents.
Citizenship notation on merchant mariners’
documents.
Oaths for holders of merchant mariners’ documents.
General requirements and classifications for
able seamen.
Able seamen—unlimited.
Able seamen—limited.
Able seamen—special.
Able seamen—offshore supply vessels.
Able seamen—sail.
Able seamen—fishing industry.
Scale of employment.
General requirements for members of engine
departments.
Service requirements for qualified members
of engine departments.
Training.
Lifeboatmen.
Tankermen.
Radiotelegraph operators on Great Lakes.
Records of merchant mariners’ documents.
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

The Secretary may prescribe by regulation
reasonable fees for the inspection of and the
issuance of a certificate, license, or permit related to small passenger vessels and sailing
school vessels.

Chapter 73 establishes the general requirements for
the issuance of a merchant mariners’ document to
those individuals who are required to have a document
prior to engagement or employment on certain vessels
of the United States.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541.)

Editorial Notes

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised section
7114 ..............................................

Source section (U.S. Code)

AMENDMENTS
1984—Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(A), July 17, 1984,
98 Stat. 448, added item 7311a.

46:390a(b)

§ 7301. General
Section 7114 allows the Secretary to prescribe reasonable fees for the issuance of a certificate of inspection,
license, or registry, or permits related to small passenger vessels and sailing school vessels.

Section, added Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 210(a), Oct.
15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2913, established the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee. See section 15104 of
this title.

(a) In this chapter—
(1) ‘‘service on deck’’ means service in the
deck department in work related to the work
usually performed on board vessels by able
seamen and may include service on fishing,
fish processing, fish tender vessels and on public vessels of the United States;
(2) 360 days is equal to one year’s service;
and
(3) a day is equal to 8 hours of labor or duty.

§ 7116. Examinations for merchant mariner credentials

(b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to
carry out this chapter.

(a) REQUIREMENT FOR SAMPLE EXAMS.—The
Secretary shall develop a sample merchant mariner credential examination and outline of mer-

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 541; Pub. L.
98–364, title IV, § 402(9)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat.
448.)

[§ 7115. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–282, title VI,
§ 601(c)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4289]