40 U.S.C. § 558 Donation of Forfeited Vessels

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-21 (published on www.congress.gov on 11/13/2023)

(a) IN GENERAL.-A vessel that is forfeited to the Federal Government may be donated, in accordance with procedures under this subtitle, to an eligible institution described in subsection (b).

(b) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.-An eligible institution referred to in subsection (a) is an educational institution with a commercial fishing vessel safety program or other vessel safety, education and training program. The institution must certify to the federal officer making the donation that the program includes, at a minimum, all of the following courses in vessel safety:

(1) Vessel stability.

(2) Firefighting.

(3) Shipboard first aid.

(4) Marine safety and survival.

(5) Seamanship rules of the road.

(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.-The donation of a vessel under this section shall be made on terms and conditions considered appropriate by the federal officer making the donation. All of the following terms and conditions are required:

(1) NO WARRANTY.-The institution must accept the vessel as is, where it is, and without warranty of any kind and without any representation as to its condition or suitability for use.

(2) MAINTENANCE.-The institution is responsible for maintaining the vessel.

(3) INSTRUCTION ONLY.-The vessel may be used only for instructing students in a vessel safety education and training program.