---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3821"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3821"
heading: "Certificates"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3821"
units:
  - "Chapter 51 — Clean Hulls"
  - "Subchapter II — Implementation of the Convention"
---

# §3821. Certificates

- (a) **Certificate required—** On entry into force of the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3) for the [United States](/usc/33/3801.md?p=14), any [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) of at least 400 gross tons that engages in one or more [international voyages](/usc/33/3801.md?p=7) (except fixed or floating platforms, [FSUs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=5), and [FPSOs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=4)) shall carry an International [Antifouling System](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) Certificate.
- (b) **Issuance of Certificate—** On entry into force of the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3), on a finding that a successful survey required by the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3) has been completed, a [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) of at least 400 gross tons that engages in at least one [international voyage](/usc/33/3801.md?p=7) (except fixed or floating platforms, [FSUs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=5), and [FPSOs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=4)) shall be issued an International [Antifouling System](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) Certificate. The [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10) may issue the Certificate required by this section. The [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10) may delegate this authority to an organization that the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10) determines is qualified to undertake that responsibility.
- (c) **Maintenance of Certificate—** The Certificate required by this section shall be maintained as required by the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10).
- (d) **Certificates issued by other party countries—** A Certificate issued by any country that is a party to the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3) has the same validity as a Certificate issued by the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10) under this section.
- (e) **Vessels of nonparty countries—** Notwithstanding [subsection (a)](#a), a [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) of at least 400 gross tons, having the nationality of or entitled to fly the flag of a country that is not a party to the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3), may demonstrate compliance with this chapter through other appropriate documentation considered acceptable by the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1021, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3025.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e), was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of Pub. L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.