§ 548. Surplus vessels

370 words·~2 min read·/usc/title-40/section-548

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(a)In General.— Except as provided in subsection (b), the Maritime Administration shall dispose of surplus vessels of 1,500 gross tons or more which the Administration determines to be merchant vessels or capable of conversion to merchant use. The vessels shall be disposed of in accordance with part F of subtitle V of title 46 and other laws authorizing the sale of such vessels.

(b)National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Vessels and Equipment.—

(1)Authority.— The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may dispose of covered vessels and equipment, which would otherwise be disposed of under subsection (a), through sales or transfers under this title.

(2)Use of proceeds.— During the 2-year period beginning of the date of enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, notwithstanding section 571 of this title or section 3302 of title 31, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may—

(A)retain the proceeds from the sale or transfer of a covered vessel or equipment under paragraph

(1)until expended under subparagraph (B); and

(B)use such proceeds, without fiscal year limitation, for the acquisition of new covered vessels and equipment or the repair and maintenance of existing covered vessels and equipment.

(3)Covered vessels and equipment defined.— In this subsection, the term “covered vessels and equipment” means survey and research vessels and related equipment owned by the Federal Government and under the control of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1090; Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(g)(1), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8409, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1913.)

Connections3 cite this · traces to 2

Cited by 3 sections

U.S. Code

§ 57112
Requirements for purchasing federally auctioned vessels

Traces to 2 documents

U.S. Code

8 references not yet in our index

Pub. L. 107–217
116 Stat. 1090
Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(g)(1)
120 Stat. 1708
Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8409
139 Stat. 1913
Pub. L. 119–60
Pub. L. 109–304

Citation graph

cites case law

§ 548

Surplus vessels

Fed. Reg.×2

U.S.C.×1

U.S.C.§ 571

U.S.C.§ 3302

Pub. L.Pub. L. 107–217

Stat.116 Stat. 1090

Pub. L.Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(g)(1)

Stat.120 Stat. 1708

Pub. L.Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8409

Cites 10 · showing 7Cited by 3 across 2 sources