
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: 46USC6304]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
                        Part D--Marine Casualties
 
               CHAPTER 63--INVESTIGATING MARINE CASUALTIES
 
Sec. 6304. Subpena authority

    (a) In an investigation under this chapter, the attendance and 
testimony of witnesses, including parties in interest, and the 
production of any evidence may be compelled by subpena. The subpena 
authority granted by this section is coextensive with that of a district 
court of the United States, in civil matters, for the district in which 
the investigation is conducted.
    (b) When a person fails to obey a subpena issued under this section, 
the district court of the United States for the district in which the 
investigation is conducted or in which the person failing to obey is 
found, shall on proper application issue an order directing that person 
to comply with the subpena. The court may punish as contempt any 
disobedience of its order.
    (c) A witness complying with a subpena issued under this section may 
be paid for actual travel and attendance at the rate provided for 
witnesses in the district courts of the United States.
    (d) An official designated to conduct an investigation under this 
part may issue subpenas as provided in this section and administer oaths 
to witnesses.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 538.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6304..............................  46:239(e)
                                    46:239(f)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 6304 provides an officer investigating a marine casualty 
with the necessary subpena authority to require the attendance and 
testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. It also 
authorizes a district court of the United States to direct compliance 
with a subpena.
