---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 7705"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "7705"
heading: "Subpenas and oaths"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/7705"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part E — Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents"
  - "Chapter 77 — Suspension and Revocation"
---

# §7705. Subpenas and oaths

- (a) An official designated to investigate or preside at a hearing on matters that are grounds for suspension or revocation of [licenses](/usc/46/12101.md?p=b-2), certificates of [registry](/usc/46/12101.md?p=b-1), and merchant mariners’ documents may administer oaths and issue subpenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of records or other evidence during investigations and at hearings.
- (b) The jurisdictional limits of a subpena issued under this section are the same as, and are enforceable in the same manner as, subpenas issued under [chapter 63](/usc/46/chstII/ptD/ch63.md) of this title.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 547; Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(9)(H), May 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 68.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 7705 | 46:239(e) |

Section 7705 allows officials designated to investigate or preside at hearings on matters that are grounds for suspension and revocation proceedings to administer oaths and issue subpenas.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–36 substituted “certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents” for “certificates, and documents”.