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46 U.S.C. § 3704

U.S. CodeFederalPositive Law
Coastwise trade vessels
About This Law
/us/usc/t46/s3704
Title
46 — Shipping
Chapter
STII/PTB/CH37
Release
119-84
Release Date
2026-04-17

Section Text

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A segregated ballast tank, a crude oil washing system, or an inert gas system, required by this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter, on a vessel entitled to engage in the coastwise trade under chapter 551 of this title shall be installed in the United States (except the trust territories). A vessel failing to comply with this section may not engage in the coastwise trade. (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 522; Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(16), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.) Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 370446:391a(7) Section 3704 requires any tank vessel that is entitled to engage in the coastwise trade to install certain equipment in the United States under the penalty of losing coastwise trading privileges if the installation work is done in a foreign country. Editorial Notes Amendments2006—Pub. L. 109–304 substituted “chapter 551 of this title” for “section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 883),”.

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