---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 56301"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "56301"
heading: "General authority"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/56301"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part E — Control of Merchant Marine Capabilities"
  - "Chapter 563 — Emergency Acquisition of Vessels"
---

# §56301. General authority


During a national emergency declared by Presidential proclamation, or a period for which the President has proclaimed that the security of the national defense makes it advisable, the Secretary of Transportation may requisition or purchase, or requisition or charter the use of, a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) owned by citizens of the [United States](/usc/46/114.md), a [documented vessel](/usc/46/106.md), or a [vessel](/usc/46/115.md) under construction in the [United States](/usc/46/114.md).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1654.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 56301 | 46 App.:1242(a) (1st, 2d sentences). | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title IX, § 902(a) (1st, 2d sentences), 49 Stat. 2015; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(131), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 165; Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 104(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4750. |

The words “or other watercraft” are omitted because of the definition of “vessel” in chapter 1 of the revised title. The words “The termination of any emergency so declared shall be announced by a further proclamation by the President” are omitted as superseded by the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).