97 STAT. 512 PUBLIC LAW 98-89 —AUG. 26, 1983 Civil penalty. Post, p. 520. 16 UST 185; TIAS 9700. Inspection fees. Waiver. commercial vessel that is reasonably available and that does not require exemptions to operate legally or if the cargo could be readily transported by overland routes. (3) A permit may be issued for a specific voyage or for not more than one year. The permit may impose specific requirements about the amount or type of cargo to be carried, manning, the areas or specific routes over which the vessel may operate, or other similar matters. The duration of the permit and restrictions contained in the permit shall be at the sole discretion of the Secretary. (4) A designated Coast Guard official who has reason to believe that a vessel issued a permit is in a condition or is operated in a manner that creates an immediate threat to the safety of life or the environment or is operated in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the permit, may direct the master or individual in charge to take immediate and reasonable steps to safeguard life and the environment, including directing the vessel to a port or other refuge. (5) If a vessel issued a permit creates an immediate threat to the safety of life or the environment, or is operated in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the permit or the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the permit may be revoked. The owner, charter, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel issued a permit, that willfully permits the vessel to be operated, or operates, the vessel in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the permit, is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. (j) Notwithstanding another provision of this chapter, the Secre- tary is not required to inspect or prescribe regulations for a nautical school vessel of not more than 15 gross tons— (1) when used in connection with a course of instruction dealing with any aspect of maritime education or study; and (2) operated by— (A) the United States Merchant Marine Academy; or (B) a State maritime academy assisted under section 1304 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1295(c)). § 3303. Reciprocity for foreign vessels (a) Except as provided in chapter 37 of this title, a foreign vessel of a country having inspection laws and standards similar to those of the United States and that has an unexpired certificate of inspection issued by proper authority of its respective country, is subject only to an inspection to ensure that the condition of the vessel's propul- sion equipment and lifesaving equipment are as stated in its current certificate of inspection, A foreign country is considered to have inspection laws and standards similar to those of the United States when it is a party to an International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea to which the United States Government is currently a party. A foreign certificate of inspection may be accepted as evidence of lawful inspection only when presented by a vessel of a country that has by its laws accorded to vessels of the United States visiting that country the same privileges accorded to vessels of that country visiting the United States. (b) The Secretary shall collect and pay to the Treasury the same fees for the inspection of foreign vessels carrying passengers from the United States that a foreign country charges vessels of the United States trading to the ports of that country. The Secretary may waive at any time the collection of the fees on notice of the
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