---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 891f"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "891f"
heading: "Use of vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/891f"
units:
  - "Chapter 17 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"
  - "Subchapter III — Noaa Fleet Modernization"
---

# §891f. Use of vessels


In implementing the [NOAA fleet](/usc/33/891.md?p=2) replacement and modernization program, the [Secretary](/usc/33/891.md?p=4), acting through the Assistant Administrator of [NOAA](/usc/33/891.md?p=1) for Marine and Aviation Operations, shall use excess capacity of [UNOLS](/usc/33/891.md?p=5) vessels where appropriate and may enter into memoranda of agreement with the operators of these vessels to carry out this requirement.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–567, title VI, § 608, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4303; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8402(a)(4), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1910.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60 struck out subsec. (a) designation and heading “Vessel Agreements” and struck out subsec. (b), which required the Comptroller General to provide a report within one year after October 29, 1992 comparing the cost-efficiency, accounting, and operating practices of the vessels of NOAA, UNOLS, other Federal agencies, and the United States private sector in meeting the missions of NOAA.