§ 91. — Safety of naval vessels.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 14USC91]
TITLE 14--COAST GUARD
PART I--REGULAR COAST GUARD
CHAPTER 5--FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
Sec. 91. Safety of naval vessels
(a) The Secretary may control the anchorage and movement of any
vessel in the navigable waters of the United States to ensure the safety
or security of any United States naval vessel in those waters.
(b) If the Secretary does not exercise the authority in subsection
(a) of this section and immediate action is required, the senior naval
officer present in command may control the anchorage or movement of any
vessel in the navigable waters of the United States to ensure the safety
and security of any United States naval vessel under the officer's
command.
(c) If a person violates, or a vessel is operated in violation of,
this section or a regulation or order issued under this section, the
person or vessel is subject to the enforcement provisions in section 13
of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1232).
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 99-640, Sec. 10(a)(4),
Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., Sec. 48a (Nov. 15, 1941, ch.
471, Sec. 1, 55 Stat. 763).
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No.
557.
Amendments
1986--Pub. L. 99-640 amended section generally. Prior to amendment,
section read as follows: ``The captain of the port, Coast Guard district
commander, or other officer of the Coast Guard designated by the
Commandant thereof, or the Governor of the Panama Canal in the case of
the territory and waters of the Canal Zone, shall so control the
anchorage and movement of any vessel, foreign or domestic, in the
territorial waters of the United States, as to insure the safety or
security of such United States naval vessels as may be present in his
jurisdiction. In territorial waters of the United States where immediate
action is required, or where representatives of the Coast Guard are not
present, or not present in sufficient force to exercise effective
control of shipping as provided herein, the senior naval officer present
in command of any naval force may control the anchorage or movement of
any vessel, foreign or domestic, to the extent deemed necessary to
insure the safety and security of his command.''
