Us Code § 558 - Donation of forfeited vessels

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 558 — Donation of forfeited vessels, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 558. Donation of forfeited vessels

(a) In General.—A vessel that is forfeited to the Federal Government may be donated, in accordance with procedures under this subtitle, to an eligible institution described in subsection (b).

(b) Eligible Institution.—An eligible institution referred to in subsection (a) is an educational institution with a commercial fishing vessel safety program or other vessel safety, education and training program. The institution must certify to the federal officer making the donation that the program includes, at a minimum, all of the following courses in vessel safety:

(1) Vessel stability.

(2) Firefighting.

(3) Shipboard first aid.

(4) Marine safety and survival.

(5) Seamanship rules of the road.


(c) Terms and Conditions.—The donation of a vessel under this section shall be made on terms and conditions considered appropriate by the federal officer making the donation. All of the following terms and conditions are required:

(1) No warranty.—The institution must accept the vessel as is, where it is, and without warranty of any kind and without any representation as to its condition or suitability for use.

(2) Maintenance.—The institution is responsible for maintaining the vessel.

(3) Instruction only.—The vessel may be used only for instructing students in a vessel safety education and training program.

(4) Documentation.—If the vessel is eligible to be documented, it must be documented by the institution as a vessel of the United States under chapter 121 of title 46. The requirements of paragraph (5) must be noted on the permanent record of the vessel.

(5) Disposal.—The institution must obtain prior approval from the Administrator of General Services before disposing of the vessel and any proceeds from disposal shall be payable to the Government.

(6) Inspection or regulation.—The vessel shall be inspected or regulated in the same manner as a nautical school vessel under chapter 33 of title 46.


(d) Government Liability.—The Government is not liable in an action arising out of the transfer or use of a vessel transferred under this section.

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1103.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
558 40:484d. Pub. L. 99–640, §13(a)–(c), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3551.

In subsection (b), the words "all of" are inserted for clarity.

About This Section

40 U.S.C. § 558 is part of Title 40 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 40 U.S.C. § 558. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 558

What does United States Code § 558 cover?

Section 558 ("Donation of forfeited vessels") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 558?

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 558 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

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