---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 3106"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "3106"
heading: "Master key control system"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/3106"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 31 — General"
---

# §3106. Master key control system

- (a) **In General.—** The [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of a vessel subject to inspection under [section 3301](/usc/46/3301.md) shall—
  - (1) ensure that such vessel is equipped with a vessel [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key control system, manual or electronic, which provides controlled access to all copies of the vessel’s [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key of which access shall only be available to the individuals described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2);
  - (2) establish a list of all crew, identified by position, allowed to access and use the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key and maintain such list upon the vessel, within [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) records and included in the vessel safety management system;
  - (3) record in a log book information on all access and use of the vessel’s [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key, including—
    - (A) dates and times of access;
    - (B) the room or location accessed; and
    - (C) the name and rank of the crew member that used the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key; and
  - (4) make the list under [paragraph (2)](#a-2) and the log book under [paragraph (3)](#a-3) available upon request to any agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, any member of the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2), and any law enforcement officer performing official duties in the course and scope of an investigation.
- (b) **Prohibited Use.—** Crew not included on the list described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) shall not have access to or use the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key unless in an emergency and shall immediately notify the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) and [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of the vessel following use of such key.
- (c) **Requirements for Log Book.—** The log book described in [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3) and required to be included in a safety management system under [section 3203(a)(6)](/usc/46/3203.md?p=a-6)—
  - (1) may be electronic; and
  - (2) shall be located in a centralized location that is readily accessible to law enforcement personnel.
- (d) **Penalty.—** Any crew member who uses the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) key without having been granted access pursuant to [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 and may be subject to suspension or revocation under section 7703.
- (e) **Exemption.—** This section shall not apply to vessels subject to [section 3507(f)](/usc/46/3507.md?p=f).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVI, § 11608(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4151.)