---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 2104"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "2104"
heading: "Delegation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/2104"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 21 — General"
---

# §2104. Delegation

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may delegate the duties and powers conferred by this subtitle to any officer, employee, or member of the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2), and may provide for the subdelegation of those duties and powers.
- (b) When this subtitle authorizes an officer or employee of the Customs Service to act in place of a [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) official, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may designate that officer or employee subject to the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of the Treasury.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 506.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 2104 | 46:65v(1)<br>46:382b<br>46:416<br>46:543<br>46:689 |

Section 2104 provides the Secretary with authority to delegate duties and powers to others. It also contains the authority to designate an officer or employee of the United States Customs Service to act in the place of a Coast Guard official.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.