132 LAWS GOVERNING MARINE INSPECTION 



SUBCHAPTER 4B.— LOAD LINES FOR VESSELS ENGAGED IN COAST- 

 WISE TRADE, INCLUDING THE GREAT LAKES 



Establishment; vessels affected 

 46 U.S.C. 88 



Load lines are established for 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 

 coastwise voyage by sea. By "coastwise voyage by sea" is meant a 

 voyage on which a vessel in the usual course of her employment pro- 

 ceeds from one port or place in the United States or her possessions 

 to another port, or place in the United States or her possessions and 

 passes outside the line dividing inland watei*s from the high seas, 

 as defined in section 151 of Title 33. 



Determination of load water lines 



46 U.S.C. 88a 



The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is oper- 

 ating is hereby authorized and directed in respect of the vessels defined 

 above 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 be loaded. Such regulations shall have the force 

 of law\ 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. In establishing 

 load water lines on passenger vessels due consideration shall be given 

 to, and differentials shall be made for, the age and condition of the 

 vessel, its subdivision and efficacy thereof, and the probable stability 

 of the vessel if damaged : Provided^ That the load-line provisions of 

 sections 88-88g of this title shall apply to the Great Lakes : Provided 

 further^ That no load line shall be established or marked on any vessel, 

 which load line in the judgment of the Secretary is above the actual 

 line of safety. 



Marking lines on vessels; approval of marks; certificate 



46 U.S.C. 88b 



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

 subject to sections 88-88i of this title and to the regulations estab- 

 lished 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 sun^ey or registry of 

 shipping as may be selected by him, to determine whether the posi- 

 tion and manner of marking on such vessels the load line or lines 

 so established are in accordance with the provisions of said sections 

 and of the regulations established thereunder: Provided^ however^ 

 That, at the request of the shipowner, the Commandant of the Coast 

 Guard may appoint, for the purpose aforesaid, any other corporation 



