(a) When the Secretary is the authority issuing a number under this chapter, the Secretary may exempt a vessel or class of vessels from the numbering requirements of this chapter under conditions the Secretary may prescribe.
(b) When a State is the issuing authority, it may exempt from the numbering requirements of this chapter a vessel or class of vessels exempted under subsection (a) of this section or otherwise as permitted by the Secretary.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 12303 | 46:1468 |
Section 12303 permits the Secretary and any State, when it is the issuing authority, to exempt vessels from the numbering requirements.