
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC3203]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
              Part B--Inspection and Regulation of Vessels
 
                    CHAPTER 32--MANAGEMENT OF VESSELS
 
Sec. 3203. Safety management system

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which 
establish a safety management system for responsible persons and vessels 
to which this chapter applies, including--
        (1) a safety and environmental protection policy;
        (2) instructions and procedures to ensure safe operation of 
    those vessels and protection of the environment in compliance with 
    international and United States law;
        (3) defined levels of authority and lines of communications 
    between, and among, personnel on shore and on the vessel;
        (4) procedures for reporting accidents and nonconformities with 
    this chapter;
        (5) procedures for preparing for and responding to emergency 
    situations; and
        (6) procedures for internal audits and management reviews of the 
    system.

    (b) Compliance With Code.--Regulations prescribed under this section 
shall be consistent with the International Safety Management Code with 
respect to vessels engaged on a foreign voyage.

(Added Pub. L. 104-324, title VI, Sec. 602(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 
3928.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 3204 of this title.
