---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 53409"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "53409"
heading: "Special rule regarding age of participating Fleet vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/53409"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part C — Financial Assistance Programs"
  - "Chapter 534 — Tanker Security Fleet"
---

# §53409. Special rule regarding age of participating Fleet vessels


Any age restriction under [section 53402(b)(4) of this title](/usc/46/53402.md?p=b-4) shall not apply to a [participating Fleet vessel](/usc/46/53101.md?p=5) during the 30-month period beginning on the date the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) begins operating under an [operating agreement](/usc/46/53201.md?p=8) under this chapter, if the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) determines that the [program participant](/usc/46/53401.md?p=5) for the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) has entered into an arrangement to obtain and operate under the [operating agreement](/usc/46/53201.md?p=8) for the [participating Fleet vessel](/usc/46/53101.md?p=5) a replacement [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) that, upon commencement of such operation, will be eligible to be included in the [Fleet](/usc/46/53101.md?p=3) under [section 53402(b) of this title](/usc/46/53402.md?p=b).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. C, title XXXV, § 3511(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4418.)