---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 3710"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "3710"
heading: "Evidence of compliance by vessels of the United States"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/3710"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 37 — Carriage of Liquid Bulk Dangerous Cargoes"
---

# §3710. Evidence of compliance by vessels of the United States

- (a) A [vessel of the United States](/usc/46/116.md) to which this chapter applies that has on board [oil](/usc/46/2101.md?p=28) or [hazardous material](/usc/46/2101.md?p=17) in bulk as cargo or cargo residue must have a [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) of inspection issued under this part, endorsed to indicate that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) complies with regulations prescribed under this chapter.
- (b) Each [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) endorsed under this section is valid for not more than 5 years and may be renewed as specified by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46). In appropriate circumstances, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may issue a temporary [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) valid for not more than 30 days. A [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) shall be suspended or revoked if the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) finds that the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) does not comply with the conditions under which the [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) was issued.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 104–324, title VI, § 605(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3931.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 3710 | 46:391a(8)(A)<br>46:391a(8)(E) |

Section 3710 prohibits any vessels of the United States subject to this chapter from having on board oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or in residue, unless it has a required Certificate of Inspection endorsed to indicate vessel compliance with applicable regulations. Certificates shall be valid for a period not to exceed two years and may be renewed as specified by the Secretary. The Secretary may issue temporary certificates of not more than thirty days duration and may revoke or suspend any certificate under designated circumstances.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324 substituted “5 years” for “24 months”.