§ 3714 — Inspection And Examination

(1) The Secretary shall have each vessel to which this chapter applies inspected or examined at least once each year. (2) Each of those vessels that is more than 10 years of age shall undergo a special and detailed inspection of structural strength and hull integrity as specified by the Secretary. (3) The Secretary may make contracts for conducting inspections or examinations in the United States and in foreign countries. An inspector conducting an inspection or examination under contract may not issue a certificate of inspection or a certificate of compliance, but the inspector may issue a temporary certificate. (4) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation reasonable fees for an inspection or examination conducted under this section outside the United States, or which, when involving a foreign vessel, is conducted under a contract authorized by paragraph (3) of this subsection. The owner, charterer, or managing operator of a vessel inspected or examined by the Secretary is liable for the fees. Amounts received as fees shall be deposited in the Treasury. (5) The Secretary may allow provisional entry of a vessel to conduct an inspection or examination under this chapter. (b) Each vessel to which this chapter applies shall have on board those documents the Secretary considers necessary for inspection and enforcement, including documents listing— (1) the type, grade, and approximate quantities of cargo on board; (2) the shipper and consignee of the cargo; (3) the places of origin and destination of the vessel; and (4) the name of an agent in the United States authorized to accept service of legal process. (c) Each vessel to which this chapter applies that operates in the United States shall have a person designated as authorized to accept service of legal process for the vessel.