PUBLIC LAW 96-387—OCT. 7, 1980
94 STAT. 1545
Public Law 96-387 96th Congress An Act To authorize the documentation of certain vessels as vessels of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That, notwithstanding the provisions of title 46 of the United States Code, particularly but not limited to section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, as amended (46 U.S.C. 883), or any other provision of law, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall cause the vessels Sara (vessel numbered 530082), Aurelia Four, Alice (vessel numbered 289731), Albatross (vessel numbered 299537), Hillbilly I, and Kailua (registration numbered AK-7716-B) to be documented as vessels of the United States, with the privileges of engaging in coastwise trade so long as each such vessel being so documented is owned by a citizen of the United States. SEC. 2. The vessel Sara which was constructed in a country other than the United States, is, pursuant to section 1, granted the privilege of engaging in coastwise trade only so long as the vessel is owned by a citizen of the United States and is operated for a nonprofit purpose. SEC. 3. Section 502 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, is amended by adding at the end of subsection (g) thereof two new subsections to read as follows: "(h) The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to construct, purchase, lease, acquire, store, maintain, sell, or otherwise dispose of national defense features intended for installation on vessels. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to install or remove such national defense features on any vessel (1) which is in the National Defense Reserve Fleet as defined by section 11(a) of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946, (2) which is requisitioned, purchased, or chartered under section 902 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, (3) which serves as security for the guarantee of an obligation by the Secretary of Commerce under title XI of this Act, or (4) which is the subject of an agreement between the owner of such vessel and the Secretary of Commerce to install or remove such national defense features. Title to such national defense features which the Secretary of Commerce determines are not to be permanently incorporated in a vessel shall not be affected by such installation or removal unless otherwise transferred in accordance with the provisions of this title V. "(i) The Secretary of Commerce shall submit the plans and specifications for such national defense features and the proposals for their acquisition, storage, utilization, or disposition to the Navy Department for examination thereof and suggestion for such changes therein as may be deemed necessary or proper in order that such features shall be suitable for the use of the United States Government in time of war or national emergency. If the Secretary of the Navy approves such plans, specifications, or proposals as submitted.
Oct. 7, 1980 [S. 1442]
Vessels, coastwise trade documentation. Merchant Marine Act, 1936, amendment.
46 USC 1152.
National defense features.
50 USC app. 1744. 46 USC 1242. 46 USC 1271.
46 USC 1151. Plans, specifications, and proposals.
eertification of approval.
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