Chapter 4.— LOAD LINES FOR MERCHANT VESSELS 



SUBCHAPTER 4A.— LOAD LINES FOR VESSELS MAKING SEA VOYAGES 



Establishment; vessels affected 



46 U.S.C. 85 



Load lines are hereby established for the following vessels : 



(a) Merchant vessels of one hundred and fifty gross tons or over, 

 loading at or proceeding to sea from any port or place within the 

 United States or its possessions for a foreign voyage at sea, or arriving 

 within the jurisdiction of the United States or its possessions from 

 a foreign voyage by sea, in both cases the Great Lakes excepted. 



(b) Merchant vessels of the United States of one hundred and 

 fifty gross tons or over, loading at or proceeding to sea from any 

 foreign port or place for a voyage by sea, the Great Lakes excepted. 



(c) Sections 85-85g of this title shall not apply to merchant 

 vessels that are being towed and which are carrying neither cargo 

 nor passengers. 



Determination of load lines ; regulations ; material factor in fix- 

 ing lines 



46 U.S.C. 85a 



The Commandant of the Coast Guard is authorized and directed 

 in respect of the vessels defined in section 85 (a) and (b) of this 

 title to establish by regulations from time to time the load water 

 lines and marks thereof indicating the maximum depth to which 

 such vessels may safely l>e loaded and in establishing such load lines 

 due consideration shall be given to, and differentials made for, the 

 various types and character of vessels and the trades in which they 

 are engaged: Provided, That no load line shall be established or 

 marked on any vessel, which load line, in the judgment of the 

 Commandant of the Coast Guard, is above the actual line of safety 

 Such regulations shall have the force of law. 



Marking lines on vessels; approval of marks; certificate 

 46 U.S.C. 85b 



It shall be the duty of the owner and of the master of every 

 vessel subject to sections 85-85g of this title and to the regulations 

 established thereunder to cause the load line or lines so established 

 to be permanently and conspicuously marked upon the vessel in 

 such manner as the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall direct, 

 and to keep the same so marked. The Commandant of the Coast 

 Guard shall appoint the American Bureau of Shipping, or such 

 other American corporation or association for the survey or registry 



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