§ 31321. Filing, recording, and discharge

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1988

   Pub. L. 100–710 title I § 102(c) · 102 Stat. 4735

   Enacted · 46 U.S.C. § 31321

   Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4741

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4741

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (c) Title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subtitle: “Subtitle III— Maritime Liability “Chapter “301. General “[Chapters 303–311—Reserved] “313. Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens “[Chapter 315—Reserved] “CHAPTER 301— GENERAL “Sec. “30101. Definitions. “§ 30101. Definitions “In this subtitle— “(1) ‘documented vessel’ means a vessel documented under chapter 121 of this title; “(2) ‘foreign vessel’ means a vessel of foreign registry or operated under the authority of a foreign country; “(3) ‘public vessel’ means (except in chapter 315 of this title) a vessel that is owned, demise chartered, or operated by the United States Government or a government of a foreign country; “(4) ‘recreational vessel’ means a vessel— “(A) operated primarily for pleasure; or “(B) leased, rented, or demise chartered to another for the latter’s pleasure; “(5) ‘seaman’ means a master or a crewmember of a vessel in operation; “(6) ‘State’ means a State of the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States; “(7) ‘State vessel’ means a vessel owned or demise chartered by the government of a State or an authority or a political subdivision of a State; “(8) ‘United States’, when used in a geographic sense, means the States of the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States; and “(9) ‘vessel of the United States’ means a vessel documented under chapter 121 of this title, numbered under chapter 123 of this title, or titled under the law of a State. “[CHAPTERS 303–311— RESERVED] “CHAPTER 313— COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MARITIME LIENS “SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL “Sec. “31301. Definitions. “31302. Availability of instruments, copies, and information. “31303. Certain civil actions not authorized. “31304. Liability for noncompliance. “31305. Waiver of lien rights. “31306. Declaration of citizenship. “31307. State statutes superseded. “31308. Secretary of Commerce or Transportation as mortgagee. “31309. General civil penalty. “SUBCHAPTER II— COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS “31321. Filing, recording, and discharge. “31322. Preferred mortgages. “31323. Disclosing and incurring obligations before executing preferred mortgages. “31324. Retention and examination of mortgages of vessels covered by preferred mortgages. “31325. Preferred mortgage liens and enforcement. “31326. Court sales to enforce preferred mortgage liens and maritime liens and priority of claims. “31327. Forfeiture of mortgagee interest. “31328. Limitations on parties serving as trustees of mortgaged vessel interests. “31329. Court sales of documented vessels. “31330. Penalties. “SUBCHAPTER III— MARITIME LIENS “31341. Persons presumed to have authority to procure necessaries. “31342. Establishing maritime liens. “31343. Recording and discharging liens on preferred mortgage vessels. “SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL “§ 31301. Definitions “In this chapter— “(1) ‘acknowledge’ means making— “(A) an acknowledgment or notarization before a notary public or other official authorized by a law of the United States or a State to take acknowledgments of deeds; or “(B) a certificate issued under the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, 1961; “(2) ‘district court’ means— “(A) a district court of the United States (as defined in Courts, U.S. section 451 of title 28); “(B) the District Court of Guam; “(C) the District Court of the Virgin Islands; “(D) the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands; “(E) the High Court of American Samoa; and “(F) any other court of original jurisdiction of a territory or possession of the United States; “(3) ‘mortgagee’ means— “(A) a person to whom property is mortgaged; or “(B) when a mortgage on a vessel involves a trust, the trustee that is designated in the trust agreement; “(4) ‘necessaries’ includes repairs, supplies, towage, and the use of a dry dock or marine railway; “(5) ‘preferred maritime lien’ means a maritime lien on a vessel— “(A) arising before a preferred mortgage was filed under section 31321 of this title; “(B) for damage arising out of maritime tort; “(C) for wages of a stevedore when employed directly by a person listed in section 31341 of this title; “(D) for wages of the crew of the vessel; “(E) for general average; or “(F) for salvage, including contract salvage; and “(6) ‘preferred mortgage’— “(A) means a mortgage that is a preferred mortgage under section 31322 of this title; and “(B) also means in sections 31325 and 31326 of this title, a mortgage, hypothecation, or similar charge that is established as a security on a foreign vessel if the mortgage, hypothecation, or similar charge was executed under the laws of the foreign country under whose laws the ownership of the vessel is documented and has been registered under those laws in a public register at the port of registry of the vessel or at a central office. “§ 31302. Availability of instruments, copies, and information “The Secretary of Transportation shall— “(1) make any instrument filed or recorded with the Secretary under this chapter available for public inspection; “(2) on request, provide a copy, including a certified copy, of any instrument made available for public inspection under this chapter; and “(3) on request, provide a certificate containing information included in an instrument filed or recorded under this chapter. “§ 31303. Certain civil actions not authorized “If a mortgage covers a vessel and additional property that is not a vessel, this chapter does not authorize a civil action in rem to enforce the rights of the mortgagee under the mortgage against the additional property. “§ 31304. Liability for noncompliance “(a) Contracts. If a person makes a contract secured by, or on the credit of, a vessel covered by a mortgage filed or recorded under this chapter and sustains a monetary loss because the mortgagor or the master or other individual in charge of the vessel does not comply with a requirement imposed on the mortgagor, master, or individual under this chapter, the mortgagor is liable for the loss. “(b) A civil action may be brought to recover for losses referred to Courts, U.S. in subsection (a) of this section. The district courts have original jurisdiction of the action, regardless of the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties. If the plaintiff prevails, the court shall award costs and attorney fees to the plaintiff. “§ 31305. Waiver of lien rights “This chapter does not prevent a mortgagee or other lien holder from waiving or subordinating at any time by agreement or otherwise the lien holder’s right to a lien, the priority or, if a preferred mortgage lien, the preferred status of the lien. “§ 31306. Declaration of citizenship “(a) When an instrument transferring an interest in a vessel is Records. presented to the Secretary of Transportation for filing or recording, the transferee shall file with the instrument a declaration, in the form the Secretary may prescribe by regulation, stating information about citizenship and other information the Secretary may require to show the transaction involved does not violate section 9 or 37 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 App. U.S.C. 808, 835). “(b) A declaration under this section filed by a corporation must Corporations. be signed by its president, secretary, treasurer, or other official authorized by the corporation to execute the declaration. “(c) An instrument transferring an interest in a vessel is not valid against any person until the declaration required by this section has been filed. “(d) A person knowingly making a false statement of a material Fraud. Law enforcement and crime. fact in a declaration filed under this section shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. “§ 31307. State statutes superseded “This chapter supersedes any State statute conferring a lien on a vessel to the extent the statute establishes a claim to be enforced by a civil action in rem against the vessel for necessaries. “§ 31308. Secretary of Commerce or Transportation as mortgagee “When the Secretary of Commerce or Transportation is a mortgagee under this chapter, the Secretary may foreclose on a lien arising from a right established under a mortgage under title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1241 et seq.), subject to section 362(b) of title 11. “§ 31309. General civil penalty “Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person violating this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. “SUBCHAPTER II— COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS “§ 31321. Filing, recording, and discharge “(a) (1) A bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument, whenever made, that includes any part of a documented vessel or a vessel for which an application for documentation is filed, must be filed with the Secretary of Transportation to be valid, to the extent the vessel is involved, against any person except— “(A) the grantor, mortgagor, or assignor; “(B) the heir or devisee of the grantor, mortgagor, or assignor; and “(C) a person having actual notice of the sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument. “(2) Each bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument that is filed in substantial compliance with this section is valid against any person from the time it is filed with the Secretary. “(3) The parties to an instrument or an application for documentation shall use diligence to ensure that the parts of the instrument or application for which they are responsible are in substantial compliance with the filing and documentation requirements. “(b) To be filed, a bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument must— “(1) identify the vessel; “(2) state the name and address of each party to the instrument; “(3) state, if a mortgage, the amount of the direct or contingent obligations (in one or more units of account as agreed to by the parties) that is or may become secured by the mortgage, excluding interest, expenses, and fees; “(4) state the interest of the grantor, mortgagor, or assignor in the vessel; “(5) state the interest sold, conveyed, mortgaged, or assigned; and “(6) be signed and acknowledged. “(c) If a bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related document is filed that involves a vessel that has not yet been documented, and the Secretary decides that the vessel cannot be documented by an applicant— “(1) the Secretary shall send notice of the Secretary’s decision, including reasons for the decision, to each party whose name and address is stated on the instrument filed for recording; and “(2) 90 days after sending the notice as provided under clause (1) of this subsection, the Secretary— “(A) may terminate the filing; and “(B) may return the instrument filed without recording it under subsection (e) of this section. “(d) A person may withdraw an application for documentation of a vessel for which a mortgage has been filed under this section only if the mortgagee consents. “(e) The Secretary shall— “(1) record the bills of sale, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, and related instruments of a documented vessel complying with subsection (b) of this section in the order they are filed; and “(2) Public information. maintain appropriate indexes, for use by the public, of instruments filed or recorded, or both. “(f) On full and final discharge of the indebtedness under a mortgage recorded under subsection (e)(1) of this section, a mortgagee, on request of the Secretary or mortgagor, shall provide the Secretary with an acknowledged certificate of discharge of the indebtedness in a form prescribed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall record the certificate. “(g) The mortgage or related instrument of a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage under section 31322(d) of this title, that is later filed under this section at the time an application for documentation is filed, is valid under this section from the time the mortgage or instrument representing financing became a preferred mortgage under section 31322(d). “(h) On full and final discharge of the indebtedness under a State and local governments. mortgage deemed to be a preferred mortgage under section 31322(d) of this title, a mortgagee, on request of the Secretary, a State, or mortgagor, shall provide the Secretary or the State, as appropriate, with an acknowledged certificate of discharge of the indebtedness in a form prescribed by the Secretary or the State, as applicable. If filed with the Secretary, the Secretary shall enter that information in the vessel identification system under chapter 125 of this title. “§ 31322. Preferred mortgages “(a) (1) A preferred mortgage is a mortgage, whenever made, that— “(A) includes the whole of a vessel; “(B) is filed in substantial compliance with section 31321 of this title; “(C) (i) covers a documented vessel; or “(ii) covers a vessel for which an application for documentation is filed that is in substantial compliance with the requirements of chapter 121 of this title and the regulations prescribed under that chapter; and “(D) has as the mortgagee— “(i) a State; “(ii) the United States Government; “(iii) a federally insured depository institution, unless disapproved by the Secretary; “(iv) an individual who is a citizen of the United States; “(v) a person qualifying as a citizen of the United States under section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 App. U.S.C. 802); or “(vi) a person approved by the Secretary of Transportation. “(2) Paragraph (1)(D) of this subsection does not apply to a vessel Fish and fishing. operated only as a fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or a fish tender vessel (as defined in section 2101 of this title) or to a vessel operated only for pleasure. “(b) A preferred mortgage filed or recorded under this chapter may have any rate of interest that the parties to the mortgage agree to. “(c) (1) If a preferred mortgage includes more than one vessel or property that is not a vessel, the mortgage may provide for the separate discharge of each vessel and all property not a vessel by the payment of a part of the mortgage indebtedness. “(2) If a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage that includes more than one vessel or property that is not a vessel is to be sold on the order of a district court in a civil action in rem, and the mortgage does not provide for separate discharge as provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection— “(A) the mortgage constitutes a lien on that vessel in the full amount of the outstanding mortgage indebtedness; and “(B) an allocation of mortgage indebtedness for purposes of separate discharge may not be made among the vessel and other property covered by the mortgage. “(d) (1) State and local governments. A mortgage or instrument representing financing of a governments. vessel Under State law that is made under applicable State law covering the whole of a vessel titled in a State is deemed to be a preferred mortgage if— “(A) the Secretary certifies that the State titling system complies with the Secretary’s guidelines for a titling system under section 13106(b)(8) of this title; and “(B) information on the vessel covered by the mortgage or instrument is made available to the Secretary under chapter 125 of this title. “(2) This subsection applies to mortgages or instruments covering vessels titled in a State after— “(A) the Secretary’s certification under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection; and “(B) the State begins making information available to the Secretary under chapter 125 of this title. “(3) A preferred mortgage under this subsection continues to be a preferred mortgage if the vessel is no longer titled in the State where the mortgage was made. “(e) If a vessel is already covered by a preferred mortgage when an application for titling or documentation is filed— “(1) the validity of the preferred mortgage covering the vessel to be titled in the State is determined by the law of the jurisdiction where the vessel is currently titled or documented; and “(2) the validity of the preferred mortgage covering the vessel to be documented under chapter 121 is determined by subsection (a) of this section. “§ 31323. Disclosing and incurring obligations before executing preferred mortgages “(a) On request of the mortgagee and before executing a preferred mortgage, the mortgagor shall disclose in writing to the mortgagee the existence of any obligation known to the mortgagor on the vessel to be mortgaged. “(b) After executing a preferred mortgage and before the mortgagee has had a reasonable time to file the mortgage, the mortgagor may not incur, without the consent of the mortgagee, any contractual obligation establishing a lien on the vessel except a lien for— “(1) wages of a stevedore when employed directly by a person listed in section 31341 of this title; “(2) wages for the crew of the vessel; “(3) general average; or “(4) salvage, including contract salvage. “(c) On conviction of a mortgagor under section 31330(a)(1) (A) or (B) of this title for violating this section, the mortgage indebtedness, at the option of the mortgagee, is payable immediately. “§ 31324. Retention and examination of mortgages of vessels covered by preferred mortgages “(a) On request, the owner, master, or individual in charge of a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage shall permit a person to examine the mortgage if the person has business with the vessel that may give rise to a maritime lien or the sale, conveyance, mortgage, or assignment of a mortgage of the vessel. “(b) A mortgagor of a preferred mortgage covering a self-propelled vessel shall use diligence in keeping a certified copy of the mortgage on the vessel. “§ 31325. Preferred mortgage liens and enforcement “(a) A preferred mortgage is a lien on the mortgaged vessel in the amount of the outstanding mortgage indebtedness secured by the vessel. “(b) On default of any term of the preferred mortgage, the mortgagee may enforce the preferred mortgage lien in— “(1) a civil action in rem for a documented vessel or a vessel to be documented under chapter 121 of this title; “(2) a civil action in personam in admiralty against the mortgagor, comaker, or guarantor for the amount of the outstanding indebtedness secured by the mortgaged vessel or any deficiency in full payment of that indebtedness; and “(3) a civil action against the mortgagor, comaker, or guarantor for the amount of the outstanding indebtedness secured by the mortgaged vessel or any deficiency in full payment of that indebtedness. “(c) The district courts have original jurisdiction of a civil action Courts, U.S. brought under subsection (b) of this section. However, for documented vessels or vessels to be documented under chapter 121 of this title, this jurisdiction is exclusive of the courts of the States for a civil action under subsection (b)(1) of this section. “(d) (1) Actual notice of a civil action brought under subsection (b)(1) of this section, or to enforce a maritime lien, must be given in the manner directed by the court to— “(A) the master or individual in charge of the vessel; “(B) any person that recorded under section 31343 (a) or (d) of this title a notice of a claim of an undischarged lien on the vessel; and “(C) a mortgagee of a mortgage filed or recorded under section 31321 of this title that is an undischarged mortgage on the vessel. “(2) Notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection is not required if, after search satisfactory to the court, the person entitled to the notice has not been found in the United States. “(3) Failure to give notice required by this subsection does not Courts, U.S. affect the jurisdiction of the court in which the civil action is brought. However, unless notice is not required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the party required to give notice is liable to the person not notified for damages in the amount of that person’s interest in the vessel terminated by the action brought under subsection (b)(1) of this section. A civil action may be brought to recover the amount of the terminated interest. The district courts have original jurisdiction of the action, regardless of the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties. If the plaintiff prevails, the court may award costs and attorney fees to the plaintiff. “(e) In a civil action brought under subsection (b)(1) of this section— “(1) the court may appoint a receiver and authorize the Courts, U.S. receiver to operate the mortgaged vessel and shall retain in rem jurisdiction over the vessel even if the receiver operates the vessel outside the district in which the court is located; and “(2) when directed by the court, a United States marshal may take possession of a mortgaged vessel even if the vessel is in the possession or under the control of a person claiming a possessory common law lien. “§ 31326. Court sales to enforce preferred mortgage liens and maritime liens and priority of claims “(a) When a vessel is sold by order of a district court in a civil action in rem brought to enforce a preferred mortgage lien or a maritime lien, any claim in the vessel existing on the date of sale is terminated, including a possessory common law lien of which a person is deprived under section 31325(e)(2) of this title, and the vessel is sold free of all those claims. “(b) Each of the claims terminated under subsection (a) of this section attaches, in the same amount and in accordance with their priorities to the proceeds of the sale, except that— “(1) the preferred mortgage lien has priority over all claims against the vessel (except for expenses and fees allowed by the court, costs imposed by the court, and preferred maritime liens); and “(2) for a foreign vessel, the preferred mortgage lien is subordinate to a maritime lien for necessaries provided in the United States. “§ 31327. Forfeiture of mortgagee interest “The interest of a mortgagee in a documented vessel or a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage under section 31322(d) of this title may be terminated by a forfeiture of the vessel for a violation of a law of the United States only if the mortgagee authorized, consented, or conspired to do the act, failure, or omission that is the basis of the violation. “§ 31328. Limitations on parties serving as trustees of mortgaged vessel interests “(a) Without the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, an instrument or evidence of indebtedness secured by a mortgage of a documented vessel to a trustee may not be issued, assigned, or transferred to, or held in trust for, a person not qualifying as a citizen of the United States under section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 App. U.S.C. 802), unless the trustee— “(1) is a State; “(2) is the United States Government; “(3) is a person approved by the Secretary and qualifying as a citizen of the United States under that section 2; or “(4) has been approved by the Secretary. “(b) The Secretary shall approve a trustee under subsection (a) (3) or (4) of this section if the trustee— “(1) is organized as a corporation, and is doing business, under the laws of the United States or of a State; “(2) is authorized under those laws to exercise corporate trust powers; “(3) is subject to supervision or examination by an official of the United States Government or a State; “(4) has a combined capital and surplus (as stated in its most recent published report of condition) of at least $3,000,000; and “(5) if the trustee is to be approved under subsection (a)(4) of this section, meets any other requirements prescribed by the Secretary. “(c) If the trustee at any time does not satisfy the qualifications of subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall disapprove the trustee. “(d) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a right under a mortgage of a documented vessel may be issued, assigned, or transferred to a person not eligible to be a mortgagee of that vessel under section 31322 of this title only with the approval of the Secretary. “(e) The vessel may be operated by the trustee only with the approval of the Secretary. “(f) The issuance, assignment, or transfer of an instrument or evidence of indebtedness contrary to this section is void. “§ 31329. Court sales of documented vessels “(a) A documented vessel may be sold by order of a district court only to— “(1) a person eligible to own a documented vessel under section 12102 of this title; or “(2) a mortgagee of that vessel. “(b) When a vessel is sold to a mortgagee not eligible to own a documented vessel— “(1) the vessel must be held by the mortgagee for resale; “(2) the vessel held by the mortgagee is subject to section 902 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1242); and “(3) the sale of the vessel to the mortgagee is not a sale foreign within the terms of the first proviso of section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 883). “(c) Unless waived by the Secretary of Transportation, a person purchasing a vessel by court order under subsection (a)(1) of this section or from a mortgagee under subsection (a)(2) of this section must document the vessel under chapter 121 of this title. “(d) The vessel may be operated by the mortgagee not eligible to own a documented vessel only with the approval of the Secretary. “(e) A sale of a vessel contrary to this section is void. “§ 31330. Penalties “(a) (1) A mortgagor shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both, if the mortgagor— “(A) with intent to defraud, does not disclose an obligation on a vessel as required by section 31323(a) of this title; “(B) with intent to defraud, incurs a contractual obligation in violation of section 31323(b) of this title; “(C) with intent to hinder or defraud an existing or future creditor of the mortgagor or a lienor of the vessel, files a mortgage with the Secretary of Transportation; or “(D) with intent to defraud, does not comply with section 31321(h) of this title. “(2) A mortgagor is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 if the mortgagor— “(A) does not disclose an obligation on a vessel as required by section 31323(a) of this title; “(B) incurs a contractual obligation in violation of section 31323(b) of this title; “(C) files with the Secretary a mortgage made not in good faith; or “(D) does not comply with section 31321(h) of this title. “(b) (1) A person that knowingly violates section 31328 or 31329 of this title shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both. “(2) A person violating section 31328 or 31329 of this title is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. “(3) A vessel involved in a violation under section 31328 or 31329 of this title and its equipment may be seized by, and forfeited to, the Government. “(c) If a person not an individual violates this section, the president or chief executive of the person also is subject to any penalty provided under this section. “SUBCHAPTER III— MARITIME LIENS “§ 31341. Persons presumed to have authority to procure necessaries “(a) The following persons are presumed to have authority to procure necessaries for a vessel: “(1) the owner; “(2) the master; “(3) a person entrusted with the management of the vessel at the port of supply; or “(4) an officer or agent appointed by— “(A) the owner; “(B) a charterer; “(C) an owner pro hac vice; or “(D) an agreed buyer in possession of the vessel. “(b) A person tortiously or unlawfully in possession or charge of a vessel has no authority to procure necessaries for the vessel. “§ 31342. Establishing maritime liens “A person providing necessaries to a vessel (except a public vessel) on the order of a person listed in section 31341 of this title or a person authorized by the owner— “(1) has a maritime lien on the vessel; “(2) may bring a civil action in rem to enforce the lien; and “(3) is not required to allege or prove in the action that credit was given to the vessel. “§ 31343. Recording and discharging liens on preferred mortgage vessels “(a) Except as provided under subsection (d) of this section, a person claiming a lien on a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage filed or recorded under this chapter may record with the Secretary of Transportation a notice of that person’s lien claim on the vessel. To be recordable, the notice must— “(1) state the nature of the lien; “(2) state the date the lien was established; “(3) state the amount of the lien; “(4) state the name and address of the person; and “(5) be signed and acknowledged. “(b) The Secretary shall record a notice complying with subsection (a) of this section. “(c) On full and final discharge of the indebtedness that is the basis for a claim recorded under subsection (b) of this section, on request of the Secretary or owner, the person having the claim shall provide the Secretary with an acknowledged certificate of discharge of the indebtedness. The Secretary shall record the certificate. “(d) A person claiming a lien on a vessel covered by a preferred mortgage under section 31322(d) of this title must record and discharge the lien as provided by the law of the State in which the vessel is titled. “[CHAPTER 315— RESERVED]”.

2. 1989

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1989

   Pub. L. 101–225 title III § 303(2) · 103 Stat. 1908

   1. Substituted · 46 U.S.C. § 31321(c)

      Pub. L. 101–225 substituted “for which an application for documentation is filed” for “that has not yet been documented” in par. (1)

   2. Substituted · 46 U.S.C. § 31321(c)

      Pub. L. 101–225 substituted “interested party to” for “party whose name and address is stated on” in par. (1)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–225 substituted “for which an application for documentation is filed” for “that has not yet been documented” in introductory provisions and “interested party to” for “party whose name and address is stated on” in par. (1).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) Section 31321(c) is amended— (A) by striking “that has not yet been documented,” and inserting “for which an application for documentation is filed,”; and (B) by striking “party whose name and address is stated on” and inserting “interested party to”;

3. 1996

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996

   Pub. L. 104–324 title III § 305 · 110 Stat. 3901

   Added · 46 U.S.C. § 31321(a)

   Pub. L. 104–324 added par. (4)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324 added par. (4).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 305. ELECTRONIC FILING OF COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS. Section 31321(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(4) (A) A bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument may be filed electronically under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. “(B) A filing made electronically under subparagraph (A) shall not be effective after the 10-day period beginning on the date of the filing unless the original instrument is provided to the Secretary within that 10-day period.”.

4. 2002

   Omnibus Maritime and Coast Guard Improvements Act of 2002

   Pub. L. 107–295 title IV § 420 · 116 Stat. 2064

   Struck · 46 U.S.C. § 31321(a)(4)

   Pub. L. 107–295 struck out subpar. (A) designation before “A bill of sale” and subpar. (B) which read as follows: “A filing made electronically under subparagraph (A) shall not be effective after the 10-day period beginning on the date of the filing unless the original instrument is provided to the Secretary within that 10-day period.”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(4) Pub. L. 107–295 struck out subpar. (A) designation before “A bill of sale” and subpar. (B) which read as follows: “A filing made electronically under subparagraph (A) shall not be effective after the 10-day period beginning on the date of the filing unless the original instrument is provided to the Secretary within that 10-day period.”

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 420. ELECTRONIC FILING OF COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR VESSELS. Section 31321(a)(4) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “(A)”; and (2) by striking subparagraph (B).

5. 2010

   Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

   Pub. L. 111–281 title IX § 913(a)(1) · 124 Stat. 2905

   Struck · 46 U.S.C. § 31321(a)(1)

   Pub. L. 111–281 struck out “of Transportation” after “Secretary” in introductory provisions

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–281 struck out “of Transportation” after “Secretary” in introductory provisions.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) by striking “of Transportation” in sections 31302, 31306, 31321, 31330, and 31343 each place it appears;

6 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision