---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 53208"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "53208"
heading: "Regulatory relief"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/53208"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part C — Financial Assistance Programs"
  - "Chapter 532 — Cable Security Fleet"
---

# §53208. Regulatory relief


The telecommunications and other electronic equipment on an existing [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) that is redocumented under the laws of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) for operation under an [Operating Agreement](/usc/46/53201.md?p=8) under this chapter shall be deemed to satisfy all Federal Communication Commission equipment certification requirements, if—

- (1) such equipment complies with all applicable international [agreements](/usc/46/53201.md?p=8) and associated guidelines as determined by the country in which the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) was documented immediately before becoming documented under the laws of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10);
- (2) that country has not been identified by the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of the Department in which the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) is operating as inadequately enforcing international regulations as to that [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9); and
- (3) at the end of its useful life, such equipment shall be replaced with equipment that meets Federal Communication Commission equipment certification standards.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–92, div. C, title XXXV, § 3521(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1997.)