
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC1906]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
             CHAPTER 33--PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS
 
Sec. 1906. Incidents involving ships


(a) Requirement to report incident

    The master, person in charge, owner, charterer, manager, or operator 
of a ship involved in an incident shall report the incident in the 
manner prescribed by Article 8 of the Convention in accordance with 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary for that purpose.

(b) Requirement to report discharge, probable discharge, or presence of 
        oil

    The master or person in charge of--
        (1) a ship of United States registry or nationality, or operated 
    under the authority of the United States, wherever located;
        (2) another ship while in the navigable waters of the United 
    States; or
        (3) a sea port or oil handling facility subject to the 
    jurisdiction of the United States,

shall report a discharge, probable discharge, or presence of oil in the 
manner prescribed by Article 4 of the International Convention on Oil 
Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990 (adopted at 
London, November 30, 1990), in accordance with regulations promulgated 
by the Secretary for that purpose.

(Pub. L. 96-478, Sec. 7, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2300; Pub. L. 102-241, 
Sec. 39, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2225.)


                               Amendments

    1991--Pub. L. 102-241 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, 
section read as follows:
    ``(a) As soon as he has knowledge of an incident, the master or 
other person in charge of a ship shall report it to the Secretary in the 
manner prescribed by Article 8 of the Convention.
    ``(b) Upon receipt of the report of an incident involving a ship, 
other than one of United States registry or nationality or one operated 
under the authority of the United States, the Secretary shall take the 
action required by Article 8 of the Convention.''
