When the Coast Guard operates as a part of the Navy pursuant to section 3 [1] of title 14, the powers conferred on the Secretary of Transportation by section 191  of this title, shall vest in and be exercised by the Secretary of the Navy.

(Nov. 15, 1941, ch. 471, § 2, 55 Stat. 763; Pub. L. 87–845, § 11, Oct. 18, 1962, 76A Stat. 699; Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(b)(1), Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 938.)