---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14307"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "14307"
heading: "Inspection of foreign vessels"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/14307"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part J — Measurement of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 143 — Convention Measurement"
---

# §14307. Inspection of foreign vessels

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may inspect a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) of a foreign country to verify that—
  - (1) the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) has an International Tonnage [Certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) (1969) and the main characteristics of the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) correspond to the information in the [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1); or
  - (2) if the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is from a country not a party to the [Convention](/usc/46/14101.md?p=1), the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter.
- (b) For a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) of a country that is a party to the [Convention](/usc/46/14101.md?p=1), if the inspection reveals that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) does not have an International Tonnage [Certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) (1969) or that the main characteristics of the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) differ from those stated on the [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) or other records in a way that increases the gross or net tonnage of the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md), the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) promptly shall inform the country whose flag the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is flying.
- (c) For a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) of a country not a party to the [Convention](/usc/46/14101.md?p=1)—
  - (1) if the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) has been measured under laws and regulations that the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) finds are similar to those of this chapter and the regulations prescribed under this chapter, the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) shall be deemed to have been issued an International Tonnage [Certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) (1969); and
  - (2) if the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) has not been measured as described in clause (1) of this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may measure the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md).
- (d) An inspection under this section shall be conducted in a way that does not delay a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) of a country that is a party to the [Convention](/usc/46/14101.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1922.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section 14307

Source: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships.

Section 14307(a) authorizes the Secretary to inspect a vessel of a foreign country to verify that the vessel has an International Tonnage Certificate and that the main characteristics of the vessel correspond to the information in the certificate. Section 14307(a) also authorizes the Secretary to inspect a vessel from a foreign country that is not a party to the Convention in order to verify that the vessel has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter.

Section 14307(b) requires that if the Secretary inspects a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention and finds that the vessel does not have an International Tonnage Certificate or that the main characteristics of the vessel differ from those stated on the certificate or other records in a way that increases the gross or net tonnage of the vessel, the Secretary must inform the country whose flag the vessel is flying.

Section 14307(c) provides that if the Secretary finds that a vessel of a country not a party to the Convention has been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter, that the vessel shall be deemed to have been issued an International Tonnage Certificate. It also provides that the Secretary may measure the vessel if the Secretary finds that the vessel has not been measured under laws and regulations similar to those of this chapter.

Section 14307(d) provides that an inspection under this section shall be conducted in a way that does not delay a vessel of a country that is a party to the Convention.