(a) The Secretary may exempt a vessel from any part of this chapter when-
(1) the vessel is entitled to an exemption under an international agreement to which the United States Government is a party; or
(2) under regulations (including regulations on special operations conditions) prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary finds that good cause exists for granting an exemption.
(b) When the Secretary grants an exemption under this section, the Secretary may issue a certificate of exemption stating the extent of the exemption.
(c) A certificate of exemption issued under subsection (b) of this section shall be maintained as required by the Secretary.
(
Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 86e, 88a.
Section 5108(a) authorizes the Secretary to exempt a vessel from load line requirements if the vessel is entitled to an exemption under an international agreement to which the United States is a party. It also provides the Secretary with the new authority to exempt a vessel from load line requirements if the Secretary finds that there is good reason for granting the exemption. A specific exemption from load line requirements was authorized in
Section 5108(b) authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of exemption when an exemption is granted.
Section 5108(c) requires that the certificate of exemption be maintained as required by the Secretary in a similar manner as under section 5106(b).