---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 5113"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "5113"
heading: "Detention of vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/5113"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part C — Load Lines of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 51 — Load Lines"
---

# §5113. Detention of vessels

- (a) When the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) believes that a vessel is about to leave a place in the United States in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may detain the vessel by giving notice to the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2), charterer, managing operator, agent, [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), or individual in charge of the vessel.
- (b) A detained vessel may be cleared under [section 60105 of this title](/usc/46/60105.md) only after the violation has been corrected. If the vessel was cleared before being detained, the clearance shall be withdrawn.
- (c) Under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46), the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2), charterer, managing operator, agent, [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), or individual in charge of a detained vessel may petition the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to review the detention order.
- (d) After reviewing a petition, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may affirm, withdraw, or change the detention order. Before acting on the petition, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may require any independent survey that may be necessary to determine the condition of the vessel.
- (e) The [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of a vessel is liable for the cost incident to a petition for review and any required survey if the vessel is found to be in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1918; Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(20), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section 5113

Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 86h, 88f.

Section 5113 authorizes the Secretary to detain a vessel if the Secretary believes that the vessel is in violation of the load line requirements, and describes the process through which a vessel may be cleared. It also states that a vessel owner is liable for certain costs resulting from a petition for review and load line survey that is made pursuant to a violation of load line requirements.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–304 substituted “section 60105 of this title” for “section 4197 of the Revised Statutes (46 App. U.S.C. 91)”.