---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 2112"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "2112"
heading: "Authority to change working hours"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/2112"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 21 — General"
---

# §2112. Authority to change working hours


In a port at which the customary working hours begin before 8 a.m. or end after 5 p.m., the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may regulate the working hours of the officers and employees referred to in [section 2111 of this title](/usc/46/2111.md) so that those hours conform to the prevailing working hours of the port. However—

- (1) the total period for which overtime pay may be required under [section 2111 of this title](/usc/46/2111.md) may not be more than 15 hours between any 2 periods of ordinary working hours on other than Sundays and holidays;
- (2) the length of the working day for the officers and employees involved may not be changed; and
- (3) the rate of overtime pay may not be changed.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 508.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 2112 | 46:382b |

Section 2112 provides the Secretary with the authority to regulate the working hours of civilian officers and employees of the Coast Guard to conform with the prevailing working hours of a port.