---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 5111"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "5111"
heading: "Providing loading information"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/5111"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part C — Load Lines of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 51 — Load Lines"
---

# §5111. Providing loading information


The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may prescribe regulations requiring the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2), charterer, managing operator, and agent of a vessel to provide loading information (including information on loading distribution, stability, and margin of strength) to the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or individual in charge of the vessel in a language the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or individual understands.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1917.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Section 5111 authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring that the master of a vessel be provided with loading and stability information for the vessel that the master understands.