
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: 46USC4309]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
              Part B--Inspection and Regulation of Vessels
 
                    CHAPTER 43--RECREATIONAL VESSELS
 
Sec. 4309. Investigation and reporting

    (a) A recreational vessel manufacturer to whom this chapter applies 
shall establish and maintain records and reports and provide information 
the Secretary may require to enable the Secretary to decide whether the 
manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with this chapter and 
regulations prescribed under this chapter. On request of an officer, 
employee, or agent authorized by the Secretary, a recreational vessel 
manufacturer shall permit the officer, employee, or agent to inspect, at 
reasonable times, factories or other facilities, and records related to 
deciding whether the manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance 
with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter.
    (b) Information reported to or otherwise obtained by the Secretary 
or the representative of the Secretary under this section containing or 
related to a trade secret or other matter referred to in section 1905 of 
title 18, or authorized to be exempt from public disclosure by section 
552(b) of title 5, is confidential under section 1905. However, on 
approval of the Secretary, the information may be disclosed to other 
officers, employees, or agents concerned with carrying out this chapter 
or when it is relevant in a proceeding under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 532.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
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          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
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4309..............................  46:1463
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    Section 4309 requires the establishment and maintenance of certain 
records by manufacturers, and the inspection and access to these records 
by the Secretary, at reasonable times, so as to assure Federal 
enforcement officials that the manufacturer has acted or is in 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It also provides 
protection for matters related to trade secrets and exemptions from 
public disclosure.
