---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4702"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4702"
heading: "Abandonment of barge prohibited"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4702"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 47 — Abandonment of Vessels"
  - "Subchapter I — Barges"
---

# §4702. Abandonment of barge prohibited


An [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) or operator of a barge may not [abandon](/usc/46/4701.md?p=1) it on the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/4701.md?p=3). A barge is deemed not to be abandoned if—

- (1) it is located at a Federally- or State-approved mooring area;
- (2) it is on private property with the permission of the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of the property; or
- (3) the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) or operator notifies the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) that the barge is not abandoned and the location of the barge.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5302, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5082; amended Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(18), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–304 struck out subsec. (a) designation before “An owner”.