---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4305"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4305"
heading: "Exemptions and equivalents"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4305"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 43 — Recreational Vessels"
---

# §4305. Exemptions and equivalents

- (a) **Exemptions.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) considers that [recreational vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=36) safety will not be adversely affected, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may issue an exemption from this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
- (b) **Equivalents.—** The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may accept a substitution for associated equipment performance or other safety standards for a [recreational vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=36) if the substitution provides an equivalent level of safety.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8318(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4700.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 4305 | 46:1458 |

Section 4305 permits the Secretary to grant appropriate exemptions from the requirements of this chapter when recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “Exemptions and equivalents” for “Exemptions” in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).