---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 70114"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "70114"
heading: "Automatic identification systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/70114"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement"
  - "Chapter 701 — Port Security"
  - "Subchapter I — General"
---

# §70114. Automatic identification systems

- (a) **System Requirements.—**
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#a-2), the following vessels, while operating on the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25), shall be equipped with and operate an automatic identification system under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6):
    - (A) A self-propelled commercial vessel of at least 65 feet [overall in length](/usc/46/2101.md?p=30).
    - (B) A vessel carrying more than a number of passengers for hire determined by the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6).
    - (C) A [towing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) of more than 26 feet [overall in length](/usc/46/2101.md?p=30) and 600 horsepower.
    - (D) Any other vessel for which the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) decides that an automatic identification system is necessary for the safe navigation of the vessel.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) may—
    - (A) exempt a vessel from [paragraph (1)](#a-1) if the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) finds that an automatic identification system is not necessary for the safe navigation of the vessel on the waters on which the vessel operates; and
    - (B) waive the application of [paragraph (1)](#a-1) with respect to operation of vessels on [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25) specified by the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) if the [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) finds that automatic identification systems are not needed for safe navigation on those waters.
- (b) **Regulations.—** The [Secretary](/usc/46/70101.md?p=6) shall prescribe regulations implementing [subsection (a)](#a), including requirements for the operation and maintenance of the automatic identification systems required under [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 107–295, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2082.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 107–295, title I, § 102(e), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2084, provided that: Schedule.—Section 70114 of title 46, United States Code, as enacted by this Act, shall apply as follows: On and after January 1, 2003, to any vessel built after that date. On and after July 1, 2003, to any vessel built before the date referred to in subparagraph (A) that is— a passenger vessel required to carry a certificate under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) [see 33 U.S.C. 1602 and notes thereunder]; a tanker; or a towing vessel engaged in moving a tank vessel. On and after December 31, 2004, to all other vessels built before the date referred to in subparagraph (A). Definition.—The terms in this subsection have the same meaning as those terms have under section 2101 [now also 115] of title 46, United States Code.”