1998 Year of the Ocean The U.S. Marine Transportation System 



to be kept by the master of a vessel (chapter 113), and chapter 115 provides for penalties for 

 specified offenses. 



Part H - Identification of Vessels (Chapters 121-125) 



Part H provides the procedures for documentation of vessels of five net tons or greater not 

 registered under the laws of a foreign country if certain ownership conditions are met. Under 

 chapter 121, the Secretary issues certificates of documentation. A vessel titled in the U.S. is not 

 entitled to be documented. The effect of documentation is that it is conclusive evidence of 

 nationality for international purposes, although not in proceedings conducted under U.S. law. 

 Documentation is also conclusive evidence of qualification to be employed in a specific trade 

 (excepting recreational endorsement). Documentation is not conclusive evidence of ownership in a 

 proceeding where ownership is at issue. Chapter 121 also provides that certificates of 

 documentation can be endorsed with a registry, coastwise. Great Lakes, fishery, or recreational 

 endorsements, which allow the vessel to be employed in certain types of activities (e.g., foreign 

 trade, coastwise trade). Chapter 121 provides procedures for surrender or invalidation of certificates 

 of documentation. The Secretary and the Secretary of State, jointly, may provide for the issuance of 

 certificates of registry for vessels procured outside the United States meeting the ownership 

 requirements chapter. The Secretary is required to publish a list of all documented vessels. Civil 

 penalties may be assessed for violation of chapter 121; as well as forfeiture of the vessels. Chapter 

 123 provides requirements and procedures for numbering of undocumented vessels. The Secretary 

 is directed to prescribe a standard numbering system, and to approve state applications for state 

 numbering systems. Chapter 125 provides the establishment of a vessel identification system for all 

 U.S. vessels. 



Part I - State Boating Safety Programs (Chapter 131) 



Part I establishes a recreational boating and safety program administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, 

 the purpose of which is to encourage states participation and uniformity in boating safety efforts. 

 States with recreational boating safety programs approved by the Secretary are eligible for federal 

 funding. 



Part J - Measurement of Vessels (Chapters 141-145) 



Part J contains procedures applicable to the measurement of a vessel to determine its tonnage and 

 for obtaining an International Tonnage Certificate. Part J implements the 1969 International 

 Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships 



Harter Act . 46 App. U.S.C. §§ 190-195 



The Act requires owners, masters or agents of any vessel transporting merchandise or property 

 from or between U.S. ports and foreign ports to issue to shippers a bill of lading, or shipping 

 document, stating, among other things, the number of packages, or quantity, condition of 



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