
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC3777]

 
               TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
 
                        CHAPTER 51--PANAMA CANAL
 
              SUBCHAPTER I--ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS
 
           Part 4--Claims for Injuries to Persons or Property
 
                        subpart ii--vessel damage
 
Sec. 3777. Investigation of accident or injury giving rise to 
        claim
        
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim may not be 
considered under this subpart, or an action for damages lie thereon, 
unless, prior to the departure from the Panama Canal of the vessel 
involved--
        (1) an investigation of the accident or injury giving rise to 
    the claim has been completed, which shall include a hearing by the 
    Board of Local Inspectors of the Commission; and
        (2) the basis for the claim has been laid before the Commission.

(Pub. L. 96-70, title I, Sec. 1417, Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 487; Pub. 
L. 104-201, div. C, title XXXV, Sec. 3544, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 
2867.)


                               Amendments

    1996--Par. (1). Pub. L. 104-201 amended par. (1) generally. Prior to 
amendment, par. (1) read as follows: ``an investigation by the competent 
authorities of the accident or injury giving rise to the claim has been 
completed; and''.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 3778 of this title.
