
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: 46USC5107]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
                      Part C--Load Lines of Vessels
 
                         CHAPTER 51--LOAD LINES
 
Sec. 5107. Delegation of authority

    (a) The Secretary shall delegate to the American Bureau of Shipping 
or other similarly qualified organizations the authority to assign load 
lines, survey vessels, determine that load lines are marked correctly, 
and issue load line certificates under this chapter.
    (b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a decision of an 
organization delegated authority under subsection (a) of this section 
related to the assignment of a load line may be appealed to the 
Secretary.
    (c) For a vessel intended to be engaged on a foreign voyage, the 
Secretary may delegate to another country that is a party to the 
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, the authority to assign 
load lines, survey vessels, determine that the load lines are marked 
correctly, and issue an International Load Line Certificate (1966).
    (d) The Secretary may terminate a delegation made under this section 
after giving written notice to the organization.

(Pub. L. 99-509, title V, Sec. 5101(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1916.)


                      Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section 5107
    Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 86d, 88b.
    Section 5107(a) requires the Secretary to delegate the performance 
of various load line functions to the American Bureau of Shipping or 
other similarly qualified organizations. In providing for the delegation 
to a ``similarly qualified organization,'' the Committee expects that 
the Secretary will ensure that that organization complies with the same 
stringent standards and requirements for conducting business that apply 
to the American Bureau of Shipping.
    Section 5107(b) permits an appeal to the Secretary of a decision by 
an organization that has received delegated authority. This ensures that 
the Secretary has full oversight of the delegated load line functions.
    Section 5107(c) permits the Secretary to delegate various load line 
functions to another country for vessels that are engaged on a foreign 
voyage, provided that the country is a party to the International 
Convention on Load Lines, 1966.
    Section 5107(d) clarifies the Secretary's authority to revoke a 
delegation at any time without cause. This authority is given so that no 
delay occurs administratively in revoking a delegation whenever the 
Secretary decides a revocation is warranted.
