---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4505"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4505"
heading: "Termination of unsafe operations"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4505"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 45 — Uninspected Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels"
---

# §4505. Termination of unsafe operations


An official authorized to enforce this chapter—

- (1) may direct the individual in charge of a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) to which this chapter applies to immediately take reasonable steps necessary for the safety of individuals on board the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) if the official observes the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) being operated in an unsafe condition that the official believes creates an especially hazardous condition, including ordering the individual in charge to return the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) to a mooring and to remain there until the situation creating the hazard is corrected or ended; and
- (2) may order the individual in charge of an uninspected [fish processing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=13) that does not have on board the [certificate](/usc/46/55104.md?p=a-1) required under [section 4503(a)(2) of this title](/usc/46/4503.md?p=a-2) to return the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) to a mooring and to remain there until the [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) is in compliance with that section, except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) to which [section 4503a](/usc/46/4503a.md)[^1] applies.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 100–424, § 2(a), Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1587; amended Pub. L. 115–282, title V, § 509, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4274.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 4503a, referred to in par. (2), was repealed by Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXV, § 11509(a)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4137.

### Amendments

2018—Par. (2). Pub. L. 115–282 substituted “4503(a)(2)” for “4503(1)” and inserted “, except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to a vessel to which section 4503a applies” before period at end.