Maritime Act of 1981
PL 97-31 (H.R.4074), enacted 08/06/1981

PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 151 
Public Law 97-31 
97th Congress 
An Act 
To revise the laws pertaining to the Maritime Administration. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may be 
cited as the "Maritime Act of 1981". 
SEC. 2. The Maritime Administration of the Department of Com-
merce is transferred to the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 3. There are transferred to the Department of Transportation 
and vested in the Secretary of Transportation all functions, powers, 
and duties relating to the Maritime Administration of the Secretary 
of Commerce and of officers and offices of the Department of 
Commerce. 
SEC. 4. There shall be at the head of the Maritime Administration 
an Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be compen-
sated at the rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule. The 
Maritime Administrator shall report directly to the Secretary of 
Transportation and shall perform such duties as the Secretary of 
Transportation shall prescribe. 
SEC. 5. In carrying out any function transferred by this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation may exercise any authority available by 
law to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to such function and 
the actions of the Secretary of Transportation in exercising such 
authority shall have the same force and effect as if exercised by the 
Secretary of Commerce on the day preceding the effective date of this 
Act. 
SEC. 6. The personnel employed in connection with, and the assets, 
liabilities, contracts, property, facilities, records, and unexpended 
balance of appropriations, and other funds employed, held, used, 
arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with 
the functions and offices, or portions thereof, transferred by this Act, 
including all Senior Executive Service positions, subject to section 
202 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, shall be 
transferred to the Secretary of Transportation for appropriate alloca-
tion. Personnel employed in connection with functions transferred by 
this Act shall be transferred in accordance with any applicable laws 
and regulations relating to transfer of functions. Unexpended funds 
transferred pursuant to this section shall be used only for the 
purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and appro-
priated, except that such funds may be used for the expenses 
associated with the transfer pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 7. In order to facilitate the transfer effected by this Act, the 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget is authorized and 
directed to make such determinations as may be necessary with 
regard to functions, offices, or portions thereof transferred by this 
Act, and to make such additional incidental dispositions of personnel, 
assets, liabilities, grants, contracts, property, records, and unex-
pended balances of appropriations, authorizations, apportionments. 
Aug. 6, 1981 
[H.R. 4074] 
Maritime Act of 
1981. 
46 u s e 1601 
note. 
Maritime 
Administration, 
transfer to 
Transportation 
Department. 
46 u s e 1601. 
46 u s e 1602. 
Administrator. 
46 u s e 1603. 
5 u s e 5314. 
46 u s e 1604. 
Personnel, 
assets, liabilities, 
and records. 
46 u s e 1605. 
31 u s e 581c. 
46 u s e 1606. 
-194 O—82 
12:QL3 
95 STAT. 152 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
allocations, and other funds held, used, arising from, available to, or 
to be made available in connection with such functions, offices, or 
portions thereof, as may be necessary to resolve disputes between the 
Secretaries of Commerce and Transportation which may arise in 
connection with the transfer. This section does not vest in the 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget any of the func-
tions, powers, or duties of the Maritime Administration, the Secre-
tary of Commerce, or the Secretary of Transportation. The authority 
and direction given by this section to the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget shall terminate sixty days after enactment. 
46 use 1607. 
SEC. 8. With the consent of the Secretary of Commerce, the 
Secretary of Transportation may use the services of such officers, 
employees, and other personnel of the Department of Commerce as 
needed to implement this Act. 
46 use 1608. 
SEC. 9. (a) All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, 
grants, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges— 
(1) which have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to 
become effective by the President, any Federal department or 
agency or official thereof, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, 
in the performance of functions which are transferred under this 
Act to the Secretary of Transportation or the Department of 
Transportation, and 
(2) which are in effect at the time this Act takes effect 
shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, 
terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law 
by the President, the Secretary of Transportation, or other author-
ized official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. 
(b)(1) This Act does not affect any proceedings, including notices of 
proposed rulemaking, or any application for any license, permit, 
certificate, or financial assistance, pending on the effective date of 
this Act, but such proceedings and applications, to the extent that 
they relate to functions so transferred and except as provided in 
paragraph (2), shall be continued at the Department of Transporta-
tion. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals shall be 
taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to such 
orders, as if this Act had not been enacted; and orders issued in any 
such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified, terminated, 
superseded, or revoked by the Secretary of Transportation, by a court 
of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. This subsection does 
not prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such proceed-
ing under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that 
the proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this Act 
had not been enacted. 
Maritime 
(2) Actions of the Maritime Subsidy Board pending on review before 
Subsidy Board, 
^j^g Secretary of Commerce on the day preceding the effective date of 
pending actions, 
^j^-^ ^^^ ^j^^jj remain with the Secretary of Commerce, unless 
otherwise agreed between the Secretary of Commerce and the Secre-
tary of Transportation, for final administrative disposition as though 
this Act had not been enacted. 
(3) The Secretary of Transportation may promulgate regulations 
providing for the orderly transfer of proceedings continued under 
paragraph (1). 
(c) Except as provided in subsection (e)— 
(1) the provisions of this Act shall not affect actions com-
menced prior to the effective date of this Act, and 
(2) in all such actions, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, 
and judgments rendered in the same manner and effect as if this 
Act had not been enacted. 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 153 
Judicial review 
and statutory 
requirements. 
46 use 1609. 
(d) No action or other proceeding commenced by or against any 
officer of the Maritime Administration in his official capacity shall 
abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. No cause of action by or 
against the Maritime Administration or by or against any officer of 
the Maritime Administration in his official capacity shall abate by 
reason of the enactment of this Act. 
(e) If, before the date on which this Act takes effect, the Secretary of 
Commerce is a party to an action, and under this Act any function of 
the Secretary of Commerce which is the subject of the action is 
transferred to the Secretary of Transportation, then such action shall 
be continued with the Secretary of Transportation substituted as a 
party. 
(f) Orders and actions of the Secretary of Transportation in the 
exercise of functions transferred under this Act shall be subject to 
judicial review as if such orders and actions had been by the 
Secretary of Commerce exercising such functions immediately pre-
ceding their transfer. Any statutory requirements relating to notice, 
hearings, action upon the record, or administrative review that apply 
to any function transferred by this Act shall apply to the exercise of 
such function by the Secretary of Transportation. 
SEC. 10. With respect to any function or office transferred by this 
Act and exercised on or after the effective date of this Act, reference 
in any other Federal law to the Maritime Administration or any of its 
predecessor agencies or any officer or office the functions of which are 
so transferred shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, other official, or component of the Department of Transporta-
tion to which this Act transfers such functions. 
SEC. 11. If any provisions of this Act or the application thereof to 46 use i6io. 
any person or circumstance is held invalid, neither the remainder of 
this Act nor the application of such provision to other persons or 
circumstances shall be affected thereby. 
SEC. 12. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) Title 5, United States 
Code, is amended as follows: 
(A) Section 5314 is amended by inserting "Administrator, 
Maritime Administration", at the end thereof. 
(B) Section 5315 is amended by striking "(8)" following the 
words "Assistant Secretaries of Commerce", and substituting 
"(7)". 
(C) Section 5316 is amended by striking "Maritime Administra-
tion, Department of Commerce". 
(2) Section 203 of the Act of August 14, 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622), is 
amended by inserting ", or the Secretary of Transportation," after 
"regulatory body" in subsection (j). 
(3) Title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(A) Section 2664(a) is amended by— 
(i) striking "Secretary of Commerce, and the Chairman of 
the Federal Maritime Board" in the introductory paragraph 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(ii) striking "Secretary of Commerce or the Federal Mari-
time Board by 1950 Reorganization Plan Numbered 21, 
effective May 24,1950 (64 Stat. 1273)" in paragraph (3) and 
substituting "Secretanr of Transportation . 
(B) Section 2665 is amend.ed by— 
(i) striking "or the Federal Maritime Board" in subsec-
tions (a) and (b); and 
(ii) striking "Federal Maritime Board" at the end of 
subsection 
(b) 
and 
substituting 
"Department 
of 
Transportation". 
95 STAT. 154 
PUBLIC LAW 97-21—AUG. 6, 1981 
(C) Section 4745(a) is amended by striking "Secretary of Com-
merce" and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(D) Section 7361(b) is amended by— 
(i) striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(ii) striking "Department of Commerce" and substituting 
"Department of Transportation". 
(4) Section 148 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by 
striking "United States Maritime Commission", and substituting 
"Maritime Administrator". 
(5) Section 42(a) of Public Law 91-469 (15 U.S.C. 1507a) is repealed. 
(6) The Act of February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511), is amended by 
striking "(c) Maritime Administration;", and redesignating the para-
graphs accordingly. 
(7) Sections 3 and 8 of the Act of February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1512 
and 1519), are amended by striking "shipping," and ", and the 
transportation facilities". 
94 Stat. 1362. 
(8) Section 2 of Public Law 96-371 (15 U.S.C. 1519a) is amended by 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation ", 
(9) Section 500 of the Act of February 28, 1920 (15 U.S.C. 1528), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(10) Section 3 of the Act of July 19,1940 (16 U.S.C. 18b), is amended 
by striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substituting 
"Department of Transportation". 
(11) Section 1 of the Act of March 4,1915 (31 U.S.C. 686), is amended 
by striking "Federal Maritime Commission" in subsection (a) and 
substituting "Maritime Administration". 
(12) Section 2 of the Act of April 29, 1941 (40 U.S.C. 270f), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(13) Section 602 (c) and (d) of the Act of June 30,1949 (40 U.S.C. 474), 
is amended in paragraph (16) by— 
(A) striking "United States Maritime Commission" wherever 
it appears and substituting "Maritime Administration"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" and substituting "Administration". 
(14) Section 516 of Public Law 90-580 (40 U.S.C. 483a) is amended by 
inserting "the Department of Transportation," immediately after 
"the Department of Commerce,". 
(15) Section 203 of the Act of June 30, 1949 (40 U.S.C. 484), is 
amended in subsection (i) by— 
(A) striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substi-
tuting "Maritime Administration"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" and substituting "Administration". 
(16) Section 2 of the Act of June 22, 1942 (41 U.S.C. 50), is amended 
by striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(17) Section 5 of the Act of July 1,1944 (41 U.S.C. 105), is amended 
by striking "Chairman of the Maritime Commission" and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(18) Section 12 of the Act of July 1,1944 (41 U.S.C. 112), is amended 
by striking "Maritime Commission" in subsection (h) and substitut-
ing "the Department of Transportation". 
(19) Section 102 of the Act of August 9,1955 (42 U.S.C. 1973cc-l), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" in clause (10) and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 155 
(20) Section 1 of the Home Port Act (46 U.S.C. 18) is amended by 
striking "Director of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Naviga-
tion of the Department of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury". 
(21) The Act of July 24,1956, is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears in 
sections 1, 2, and 3 (46 U.S.C. 249, 249a, and 249b) and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "with the concurrence of the Secretary of the 
Treasury" in sections 1 and 3 (46 U.S.C. 249 and 249b). 
(22) The Act of June 30, 1961 (46 U.S.C. 289b), is amended by 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation". 
(23) The Act of October 25, 1919 (46 U.S.C. 363), is amended by 
striking "United States Shipping Board" and substituting "Depart-
ment of Commerce and the Maritime Administration". 
(24) Section 6 of the Act of May 27,1936 (46 U.S.C. 382b), is amended 
by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and substi-
tuting "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating or the Secretary of the Treasury". 
(25) The Suits in Admiralty Act is amended by— 
(A) striking the last sentence of section 3 (46 U.S.C. 743); 
(B) striking "United States Shipping Board" in section 7 (46 
U.S.C. 747) and substituting "Maritime Administration"; 
(C) striking "or the United States Shipping Board" in section 9 
(46 U.S.C. 749); 
(D) striking "or of the United States Shipping Board" in 
sections 10 and 11 (46 U.S.C. 750 and 751); and 
(E) striking "and the United States Shipping Board" in section 
12 (46 U.S.C. 752). 
(26) Section 9 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 808) is amended 
by striking "United States Maritime Commission", "Commission", 
and "Secretary of Commerce" wherever they appear and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(27) Section 12 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 811) is amended 
b y -
(A) striking "Commission ' wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "It" wherever it appears and substituting "The 
Secretary"; 
(C) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "the 
Secretary"; and 
(D) striking "its" wherever it appears and substituting "his". 
(28) Section 14a of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 813) is amended 
b y -
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Federal Maritime Commission"; and 
(B) striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secre-
tary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury". 
(29) Section 21 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 820) is amended 
in subsection (a) by— 
(A) striking "Commission" in the first sentence and substitut-
ing "Federal Maritime Commission and Secretary of Transporta-
tion"; 
(B) striking "it" in the first sentence and substituting "it or 
him"; and 
(C) striking "Commission" wherever it appears in the second 
sentence and substituting "Commission or Secretary". 
95 STAT. 156 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(30) Section 37 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 835) is amended 
by striking "Commission" and "Secretary of Commerce" wherever 
they appear and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(31) Sections 40 and 42 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 838 and 
840) are amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(32) Section 41 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 839) is amended 
b y -
(A) striking "Commission' wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(33) Section 1 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 861) is 
amended by striking "United States Maritime Commission" and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(34) Section 5 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 864) is 
amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(35) Section 101 of the Act of June 30, 1948 (46 U.S.C. 864a) is 
amended by striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation". 
(36) Section 1 of the Act of June 29,1949 (46 U.S.C. 864b) is amended 
b y -
(A) striking "Maritime Commission" and substituting "Mari-
time Administration of the Department of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" and substituting "Maritime Admin-
istration". 
(37) Section 6 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 865) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "he"; 
(C) striking ", upon an affirmative vote of not less than five of 
its members, spread upon the minutes of the board,"; and 
(D) striking "its" wherever it appears and substituting "his". 
(38) Section 1 of the Act of May 16,1972 (46 U.S.C. 865a), is amended 
by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation". 
(39) Section 7 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 866) is 
amended by— 
(A) other than in the second proviso, striking "Commission" 
wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transporta-
tion"; and 
(B) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(40) Section 8 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 867) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" and substituting "he"; and 
(C) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(41) Section 9 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 868) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" in the last sentence and substituting "he". 
(42) Section 10 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 869) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 157 
(B) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "he". 
(43) Section 12 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 871) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "CJommission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" the first two times it appears and substituting 
"him"; and 
(C) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(44) Section 13 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 872) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" and substituting "him". 
(45) Section 17 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 875) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking the first paragraph; and 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(46) Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, as amended, is 4
6 use 876. 
amended by— 
(A) striking "The Commission" the first time it appears and 
substituting The Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) inserting after subsection (a) the following undesignated 
paragraph: 
"And the Federal Maritime Commission is authorized and directed 
in aid of the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act:". 
(47) Section 21 of the Merchant Marine Act. 1920 (46 U.S.C. 877) is 
amended by striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation". 
(48) Section 25 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 881) is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce and the chairman of 
the Commission shall each appoint one representative" and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation shall appoint one representative 
and the Secretary of the Department in which the C!oast Guard is 
operating shall appoint one representative (except in a case where 
such Secretary is the Secretary of Transportation in which case he 
shall appoint both representatives)". 
(49) Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 883) is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" in the fourth proviso 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(50) Section 28 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 884) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" in the second sentence and substituting "he". 
(51) Section 202 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1928 (46 U.S.C. 891b) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" wherever it appears and substituting "his". 
(52) Section 203 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1928 (46 U.S.C. 891c) 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(53) Section 705 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1928 (46 U.S.C. 891w) 
is amended by striking "Maritime Commission" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
95 STAT. 158 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(54) Subsection B of the Ship Mortgage Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 911) is 
amended by striking "Commission" in paragraph (4) and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(55) Subsection O of the Ship Mortgage Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 961) is 
amended by— 
(A) inserting a period after the word "Commission" in subsec-
tion (a); 
(B) inserting "The Secretary" at the beginning of the second 
sentence of subsection (a); 
(C) striking "Board" wherever it appears in subsections (a) and 
(d) and substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(D) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears in 
subsection (e) and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(56) Subsection V of the Ship Mortgage Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 982) is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce is" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury are". 
(57) Subsection W of the Ship Mortgage Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 983) is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury". 
(58) Section 201 of the Ship Mortgage Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1111) is 
amended by— 
(A) repeaHng subsection (a); 
(B) in subsection (d)— 
(i) inserting "and the Secretary of Transportation" after 
"The Commission"; 
(ii) striking "its" and substituting "their"; and 
(iii) striking "it" and substituting "them"; 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) inserting "and the Secretary of Transportation" after 
"Commission" when it first appears and at the beginning of 
the second sentence; 
(ii) striking "its" in the second sentence and substituting 
"their"; and 
(iii) striking the proviso; and 
(D) inserting "or the Secretary of Transportation" after "Com-
mission" and "it" wherever they appear in subsection (f). 
(59) The Act of June 25, 1938 (46 U.S.C. 1111a), is amended by 
striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substituting 
"Federal Maritime Commission and the Secretary of Transporta-
tion". 
(60) Section 202 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1112) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking the first sentence; 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(C) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "he"; 
and 
(D) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(61) Section 204 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1114) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "United States Maritime Commission" wherever 
it appears and substituting "Federal Maritime Commission and 
the Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) inserting "and the Secretary of Transportation" following 
"The Commission" in subsection (b); 
(C) striking "is" in subsection (b) and substituting "are"; and 
(D) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "them". 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 159 
(62) Section 205 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1115) 
is amended by striking "Commission" and substituting "Federal 
Maritime Commission and the Secretary of Transportation". 
(63) Section 206 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1116) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" where it appears for the first time 
in the first and second sentences and substituting "Department 
of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(64) Section 207 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1117), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" where it appears the first time in 
the first sentence and substituting "Federal Maritime Commis-
sion and the Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) inserting "or his" after "its" in the first sentence; 
(C) inserting "or Secretary" after "Commission" where it 
appears for the second time in the first sentence and where it 
appears in the last sentence; and 
(D) inserting "and Secretary's" after "Commission's" in the 
second sentence. 
(65) Section 208 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1118), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" and substituting "Federal Mari-
time Commission and the Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) inserting "or his" after "its" wherever it appears. 
(66) The proviso clause of section 209(b) of the Merchant Marine 
Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1119(b)) is amended by striking "Secretary of 
Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(67) Sections 210 and 211 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1120 and 1121) are amended by striking "Secretary of Com-
merce" where they appear and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
(68) Section 5 of Public Law 96-387 (46 U.S.C. 1121-1) is amended by 94 Stat. 1546. 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation". 
(69) Section 212 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1122), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" in the first line and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) inserting after subsection (d) the following undesignated 
paragraph: 
"The Federal Maritime Commission is authorized and directed—"; 
(C) inserting after subsection (e) the following undesignated 
paragraph: 
"The Secretary of Transportation is authorized and directed—"; 
and 
(D) striking "it" in subsection (g) and substituting "he". 
(70) Section 212(A) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1122a) is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it 
appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(71) Section 213 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1123) 
is amended by striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation''. 
(72) Section 214 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1124) 
is amended by— 
95 STAT. 160 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(A) striking "Commission" where it appears the first time in 
subsection (a) and substituting "Federal Maritime Commission 
or the Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) inserting "or the Secretary," after "designated by it" in 
subsection (a); 
(C) inserting "or the Secretary," after "Commission" where it 
appears in the third sentence of subsection (a) and wherever it 
appears in subsection (b); and 
(D) striking "it" in subsection (b) and substituting "it or he". 
(73) Section 215 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1125) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" and substituting "his"; and 
(C) striking "its" in the first sentence and substituting "his". 
(74) Section 4 of the Act of February 6, 1941 (46 U.S.C. 1125a), is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" where it appears the first time and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" where it appears the second and 
third time and substituting "Secretary". 
(75) Section 216 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1126), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" wherever it appears in subsection (c) and 
substituting "he"; and 
(C) striking "itself in subsection (d) and substituting "him-
self. 
(76) Section 603 of the Department of Defense Appropriation 
Authorization Act, 1977 (46 U.S.C. 1126-1), is amended by striking 
"Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Maritime Affairs" and substi-
tuting "Maritime Administrator". 
(77) Section 34 of the Act of August 10, 1956 (46 U.S.C. 1126a-l), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(78) The Act of August 9, 1946 (46 U.S.C. 1126b), is amended bv 
striking "Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission ' 
wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
46 use ii26b-i. 
(79) The Act of September 14,1961 (46 U.S.C. 1126a-l), is amended 
by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(80) The Act of May 11, 1944 (46 U.S.C. 1126c), is amended by 
striking "Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission" and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(81) The Act of July 22, 1947 (46 U.S.C. 1126d), is amended by 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(82) Section 301 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1131), 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(83) Section 302 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1132), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" in subsection (f) and 
sulDstituting "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating or the Secretary of the Treasury"; and 
(B) striking "Commission's" in subsection (g) and substituting 
"Transportation Department's". 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 161 
(84) Sections 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 of the Merchant Marine 
Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1151,1152,1153, 1154, and 1155), are amended by 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(85) Section 502 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1152), 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce's" in subsection (c) 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation's". 
(86) Section 402 of the Second Revenue Act of 1940 (46 U.S.C. 
1155a), is amended by striking "United States Maritime Commis-
sion" and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(87) Section 506 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1156), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" where it appears the first time and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" where it appears the next four 
times and substituting "Secretary". 
(88) Section 507 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1157), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(89) Section 508 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1158), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" and substituting "the Maritime Administra-
tion of the Department of Transportation". 
(90) Section 509 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1159), 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(91) Section 510 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1160), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears 
other than the first time it appears in subsection (j) and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(C) striking "its" in subsection (f) and substituting "his"; 
(D) striking "Commission's" wherever it appears in subsection 
(g) and substituting "Secretary's"; and 
(E) striking "Secretary of Commerce" the first time it appears 
in subsection (j) and substituting "Maritime Administration of 
the Department of Transportation". 
(92) Section 511 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1161), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" in paragraphs (g)(1) (A) and (B) and substitut-
ing "him". 
(93) Section 601 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1171), 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and "Commission" 
wherever they appear and substituting "Secretary of Transporta-
tion". 
(94) Sections 602 and 603 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1172 and 1173), are amended by striking "Secretary of Com-
merce" wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
95 STAT. 162 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(95) Section 604 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1174), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" wherever it appears and substituting "he"; 
and 
(C) striking the colon and the proviso. 
(96) Sections 605 and 606 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1175 and 1176), are amended by striking "Secretary of Com-
merce" wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
(97) Section 607 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1177), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" whenever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary"; and 
(B) adding at the end of subsection (k), a new paragraph (9) to 
read as follows: 
"Secretary." 
"(9) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce with 
respect to eligible or qualified vessels operated or to be operated in 
the fisheries of the United States, and the Secretary of Transporta-
tion with respect to all other vessels.". 
(98) Section 608 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1178), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" in the second sentence and substituting "he"; 
and 
(C) striking "it" in the last sentence and substituting "him". 
(99) Sections 609 and 610 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1179 and 1180), are amended by striking "Commission" wher-
ever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(100) Section 611 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1181), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" in paragraph (a) and substituting "he"; and 
(C) striking "any member of the Commission, or any officer 
thereof designated by the Commission for that purpose" and 
substituting "the Secretary of Transportation or any officer 
designated by him for that purpose". 
(101) Section 612 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1182), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" wherever it appears and substituting "his". 
(102) Section 613 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1183), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" in subsections (c) and (e) and substituting "he"; 
and 
(C) striking "Board" and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
(103) Section 701 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1191), 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(104) Section 702 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1192), 
is amended by— 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 163 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" and substituting "he". 
(105) Section 703 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1193), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission's" in subsection (c) and substituting 
"Secretary's". 
(106) Section 704 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1194), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" the first time it appears in the first 
sentence and substituting "Department of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "Commission" the second time it appears in the 
first sentence and substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
and 
(C) striking all after the first sentence. 
(107) Section 705 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1195), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "its" in the first sentence and substituting "the 
Department of Transportation's"; and 
(C) striking "its" in the second sentence and substituting "his". 
(108) Section 706 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1196), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "its" in the first sentence and substituting "the 
Department of Transportation's"; 
(C) striking "Commission's" in the second sentence and substi-
tuting "the Department of Transportation's"; and 
(D) striking "its" in subsection (b) and substituting "his". 
(109) Section 707 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1197) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Commission's" in subsection (b) and substituting 
"Secretary's". 
(110) Section 708 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1198) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" and substituting "his". 
(111) Section 709 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1199) 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(112) Section 710 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1200) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission's" and substituting "Secretary of 
Transportation's"; and 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(113) Section 711 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1201) 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(114) Section 712 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1202) 
is amended by— 
95 STAT. 164 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "itself in subsection (a) and substituting "him-
self; 
(C) striking "its" in subsection (a) and substituting "his"; and 
(D) striking "it" in subsection (a) and substituting "he". 
(115) Section 713 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1203) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "its" in subsection "the Department of Transporta-
tion's". 
(116) Section 714 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1204) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Secretary of Commerce's" and substituting "Sec-
retary of Transportation's". 
(117) Section 715 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1205) 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(118) Section 716 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1206) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Department of Commerce" and substituting 
"Department of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secre-
tary of Transportation". 
(119) Section 801 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1211) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "it" the first time it appears in clause (3) and 
substituting "he". 
(120) Section 802 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1212) 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(121) Sections 809 and 810 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1213 and 1222) are amended by striking "Secretary of Com-
merce" wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
(122) Section 805 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1223) 
is amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(123) Section 806(a) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1224) is amended by striking "Commission" and substituting "Com-
mission or the Secretary of Transportation". 
(124) Section 807 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1225) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "or before the Commission" in the first sentence 
and substituting "or before the Commission or the Secretary of 
Transportation"; and 
(B) thereafter, striking the word "Commission" wherever it 
appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(125) Section 806 (c) and (d) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
U.S.C. 1228) is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" substituting "Commission or the 
Secretary of Transportation"; 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 165 
(B) striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substi-
tuting "Federal Maritime Commission or the Secretary of Trans-
portation"; and 
(C) inserting "or him" after "functions transferred to it" and 
after "vested in it" in the last paragraph. 
(126) Section 901(b) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1241(b)) is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it 
appears in subsection (b)(2) and substituting "Secretary of Transpor-
tation". 
(127) The Act of March 26, 1934 (46 U.S.C. 1241-1), is amended by 
striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary of Transporta-
tion". 
(128) Section 801 of the Act of June 2, 1951 (46 U.S.C. 1241a), is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Department of Commerce" and substituting 
"Department of Transportation". 
(129) Section 101 of the Act of June 20, 1956 (46 U.S.C. 1241b), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(130) The Act of August 1, 1956 (46 U.S.C. 1241c), is amended by 
striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(131) Section 902 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1242), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "Commission's" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary's"; 
(C) striking "United States Maritime Commission" wherever it 
appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(D) striking "its" the first time it appears and substituting 
"his"; and 
(E) striking "its" the second time it appears and substituting 
"the Department of Transportation's". 
(132) The Act of June 29, 1940 (46 U.S.C. 1242a), is amended by— 
(A) striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(C) striking "it" in subsection (b) and substituting "he". 
(133) Section 905 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1244), 
is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" in subsection (a) and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking subsection (e). 
(134) Section 908 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1247), 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears 
and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(135) Section 1101 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1271), is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary"; and 
(B) adding a new subsection (n) to read as follows: 
"(n) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce with "Secretary." 
respect to fishing vessels and fishing facilities as provided by this 
95 STAT. 166 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31-AUG. 6, 1981 
title, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to all other 
vessels.". 
(136)"Sections 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1108, 1109, and 1110 of 
the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 1272,1273,1274,1275,1276, 
1279a, 1279b, and 1279c), are amended by striking "Secretary of 
Commerce" wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary". 
(137) Section 101 of Public Law 85-469 (46 U.S.C. 1280), is amended 
by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secretary". 
(138) Section 1201(e) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1281), is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(139) Section 1208 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1288) is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(140) Section 601 of the Act of November 1,1951 (46 U.S.C. 1288a), is 
amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(141) Section 1213 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1293), is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it 
appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(142) Section 1301 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1295), is amended by— 
(A) striking "Secretary of Commerce" in paragraph (1) and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(B) striking "Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Maritime 
Affairs" in paragraph (2) and substituting "Maritime Adminis-
trator". 
(143) Section 1302 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1295a), is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" in para-
graph (1) and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(144) Section 1303 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1295b), is amended bv— 
(A) striking ' and the Secretary of Transportation" in para-
graph (e)(3); 
(B) striking "the Secretary of the Department in which the 
United States Coast Guard is operating with respect to the 
United States Coast Guard and" in paragraph (e)(4); and 
(C) striking "Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Maritime 
Affairs" in paragraph (i)(l) and substituting "Maritime Adminis-
trator". 
(145) Section 1304 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
1295c), is amended by— 
(A) striking "and the Secretary of Transportation" in para-
graph (g)(5); and 
(B) striking "the Secretary of the department in which the 
United States Coast Guard is operating with respect to the 
United States Coast Guard and" in paragraph (g)(6). 
(146) Section 14 of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (46 U.S.C. 1313) 
is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting 
"Secretary of Transportation". 
(147) Section 2 of the Civilian Nautical School Act (46 U.S.C. 1332) is 
amended by— 
(A) striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "Commission" and substituting "Secretary"; and 
(C) striking "it" and substituting "he". 
(148) Section 3 of the Civilian Nautical School Act (46 U.S.C. 1333) is 
amended by— 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
95 STAT. 167 
(A) striking "Board of Supervising Inspectors, with the 
approval of the Secretary of Commerce," in subsection (a) and 
substituting "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating or Secretary of the Treasury"; and 
(B) striking "Secretary of Commerce" in subsection (b) and 
substituting "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating or Secretary of the Treasury". 
(149) Section 3 of the Maritime Academy Act of 1958 (46 U.S.C. 
1382) is amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation". 
(150) Section 305(b) of the Act of June 19, 1934 (47 U.S.C. 305(b)), is 
amended by striking "United States Shipping Board Bureau or the 
United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation" and 
substituting "Maritime Administration of the Department of Trans-
portation". 
(151) Section 352(a)(2) of the Act of June 19, 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
352(a)(2)), is amended by striking "United States Maritime Commis-
sion" and substituting "Maritime Administration of the Department 
of Transportation". 
(152) Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the Act of August 9, 1954 (50 U.S.C. 196, 
197, and 198), are amended by striking "Secretary of Commerce" 
wherever it appears and substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(153) Section 3 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1736) 
is amended by— 
(A) striking " 'Commission' " and substituting " 'Secretary' "; 
(B) striking "United States Maritime Commission" and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation"; and 
(C) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary". 
(154) Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 13 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 
1946 (50 U.S.C. App. 1737, 1739, 1740, 1741, 1743, and 1746) are 
amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substi-
tuting "Secretary". 
(155) Section 5 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
1738), is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary"; 
(B) striking "its" wherever it appears in subsection (a) and 
substituting "his"; 
(C) striking "Maritime Commission" and substituting "Secre-
tary of Transportation"; 
(ID) striking "Federal Maritime Board" wherever it appears 
and substituting "Maritime Administration"; and 
(E) striking "Secretary of Commerce" wherever it appears and 
substituting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(156) Section 2 of the Act of June 29, 1949 (50 U.S.C. App. 1738a), is 
amended by striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substi-
tuting "Secretary of Transportation". 
(157) Section 11 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
1744) is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary of Transportation"; 
(B) striking "it" the first time it appears in subsection (a)(1) and 
where it appears in subsection (a)(2) and substituting "the 
Department of Transportation"; 
(C) striking "it" where it appears for the second time in 
subsection (a)(1) and substituting "he"; and 
-194 O—82 
13:QL3 
95 STAT. 168 
PUBLIC LAW 97-31—AUG. 6, 1981 
(D) striking "Secretary of Commerce" and substituting "Secre-
tary of Transportation". 
(158) Section 12 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
1745) is amended by— 
(A) striking "Commission" wherever it appears and substitut-
ing "Secretary"; and 
(B) striking "Secretary of (Commerce" and substituting "Secre-
tary of Transportation". 
(159) Section 26 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 882) is 
amended by striking, the words "Secretary of Commerce", and 
substituting "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating." 
Approved August 6, 1981. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4074: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-199 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, VoL 127 (1981): 
July 27, considered and passed House. 
July 29, considered and passed Senate. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 17, No. 32 (1981): 
Aug. 6, Presidential statement.