INSPECTION OF VESSELS 115 



self that ever^ such vessel (1) is of a structure suitable for the 

 service in which it is to be employed; (2) is equipped with the 

 proper appliances for lifesaving and fire protection in accordance 

 with applicable laws, or rules and regulations prescribed by him; 



(3) has suitable accommodations for passengers and the crew; and 



(4) is in a condition to warrant the belief that it may be used, 

 operated, and navigated with safety to life in the proposed service 

 and that all applicable requirements of marine safety statutes and 

 regulations thereunder are faithfully complied with. 



(b) The' Secretary may prescribe reasonable fees or charges for 

 (1) any inspection made and (2) any certificate, license, or permit 

 issued pursuant to sections 39()-390gj 404, and 526f of this title or 

 under the rules and regulations established hereunder. 



Rules and regulations 



46 U.S.C. 390b 



In order to secure effective provision against hazard to life created 

 by passenger-carrying vessels and to carry out in the most effective 

 manner the provisions of sections 390-390g, 404, and 526f of this 

 title, the Secretary shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may 

 be necessary with respect to design, construction, alteration, or repair 

 of such vessels, including the superstructures, hulls, accommoda- 

 tions for passengers and crew, fittings, equipment, appliances, pro- 

 pulsive machinery, auxiliary machinery, and boilers; with respect 

 to all materials used in construction, alteration, or repair of such 

 vessels including the fire prevention and fire retardant characteristics 

 of such materials; with respect to equipment and appliances for life- 

 saving and fire protection; with respect to the operation of such 

 vessels, including the waters in which they may be navigated and 

 the number of passengers which they may carry ; with respect to the 

 requirements of the manning of such vessels and the duties and 

 qualifications of the operators and crews thereof; and with respect to 

 the inspection of any or all the foregoing. 



Certificate of inspection 



46 U.S.C. 390c 



(a) No passenger-carrying vessel shall be operated or navigated 

 until a certificate of inspection in such form as may be prescribed 

 by the regulations promulgated by the Secretary under the authority 

 of sections 390-390g, 404, and 526f of this title, has been issued to 

 the vessel indicating that the vessel is in compliance with the pro- 

 visions of said sections, and the rules and regulations established 

 hereunder; except that when a foreign passenger-carrying vessel 

 belongs to a nation which is signatory to the International Conven- 

 tion for Safety of Life at Sea, a valid safety certificate issued to 

 the vessel pursuant to the Convention may be accepted in lieu of the 

 required certificate of inspection. 



(b) Any passenger-carrying vessel to which a valid certificate of 

 inspection has been issued pursuant to this section shall during 

 the tenure of the certificate be in full compliance with the terms 

 of the certificate. 



