
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC3315]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
              Part B--Inspection and Regulation of Vessels
 
                    CHAPTER 33--INSPECTION GENERALLY
 
Sec. 3315. Disclosure of defects and protection of informants

    (a) Each individual licensed under part E of this subtitle shall 
assist in the inspection or examination under this part of the vessel on 
which the individual is serving, and shall point out defects and 
imperfections known to the individual in matters subject to regulations 
and inspection. The individual also shall make known to officials 
designated to enforce this part, at the earliest opportunity, any marine 
casualty producing serious injury to the vessel, its equipment, or 
individuals on the vessel.
    (b) An official may not disclose the name of an individual providing 
information under this section, or the source of the information, to a 
person except a person authorized by the Secretary. An official 
violating this subsection is liable to disciplinary action under 
applicable law.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 516.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3315..............................  46:234
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 3315 requires an individual holding a license issued by the 
Coast Guard to assist inspection authorities and to make defects and 
imperfections known to those authorities. Anyone licensed also has a 
duty to report any marine casualty producing serious injury to the 
vessel, its equipment, or individuals on board the vessel. These 
licensed individuals who have this statutorily imposed duty to disclose 
are also protected by prohibiting any government official from 
disclosing the identity or source of the information except as 
authorized by the Secretary.
