§ 57109. Operation of vessels purchased, chartered, or leased from Secretary of Transportation

46 U.S.C. § 57109 (N/A)
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Unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of Transportation, a vessel purchased, chartered, or leased from the Secretary may be operated only under a certificate of documentation with a registry or coastwise endorsement. Such a vessel, while employed solely as a merchant vessel, is subject to the laws, regulations, and liabilities governing merchant vessels, whether the United States Government has an interest in the vessel as an owner or holds a mortgage, lien, or other interest.

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1661.)