---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 70002"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "70002"
heading: "Special powers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/70002"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement"
  - "Chapter 700 — Ports and Waterways Safety"
  - "Subchapter I — Vessel Operations"
---

# §70002. Special powers


The [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) may order any vessel, in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or in the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25), to operate or anchor in a manner the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) directs if—

- (1) the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) has reasonable cause to believe such vessel does not comply with any regulation issued under [section 70034](/usc/46/70034.md) or any other applicable law or treaty;
- (2) the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) determines such vessel does not satisfy the conditions for port entry set forth in section [70021](/usc/46/70021.md) or [70022](/usc/46/70022.md) of this title; or
- (3) by reason of weather, visibility, sea conditions, port congestion, other hazardous circumstances, or the condition of such vessel, the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) is satisfied such direction is justified in the interest of safety.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4255; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8508(2)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4755.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021—Par. (2). Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or 70022” after “section 70021”.