SUBCHAPTER III—AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(c)(3), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4202, inserted subchapter III designation and heading.

§541. Aids to navigation authorized

(a) In order to aid navigation and to prevent disasters, collisions, and wrecks of vessels and aircraft, the Coast Guard may establish, maintain, and operate:

(1) aids to maritime navigation required to serve the needs of the armed forces or of the commerce of the United States;

(2) aids to air navigation required to serve the needs of the armed forces of the United States peculiar to warfare and primarily of military concern as determined by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of any department within the Department of Defense and as required by any of those officials; and

(3) electronic aids to navigation systems (a) required to serve the needs of the armed forces of the United States peculiar to warfare and primarily of military concern as determined by the Secretary of Defense or any department within the Department of Defense; or (b) required to serve the needs of the maritime commerce of the United States; or (c) required to serve the needs of the air commerce of the United States as requested by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

These aids to navigation other than electronic aids to navigation systems shall be established and operated only within the United States, the waters above the Continental Shelf, the territories and possessions of the United States, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the United States at places where naval or military bases of the United States are or may be located. The Coast Guard may establish, maintain, and operate aids to maritime navigation under paragraph (1) of this section by contract with any person, public body, or instrumentality.

(b) In the case of pierhead beacons, the Commandant may—

(1) acquire, by donation or purchase in behalf of the United States, the right to use and occupy sites for pierhead beacons; and

(2) properly mark all pierheads belonging to the United States situated on the northern and northwestern lakes, whenever the Commandant is duly notified by the department charged with the construction or repair of pierheads that the construction or repair of any such pierheads has been completed.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 500, §81; June 22, 1951, ch. 150, 65 Stat. 89; Sept. 3, 1954, ch. 1263, §30, 68 Stat. 1237; Pub. L. 85–726, title XIV, §1404, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 808; Pub. L. 89–662, §1, Oct. 14, 1966, 80 Stat. 912; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(3), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §105(a), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1582; renumbered §541, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8509(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4755.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed.; §§50m, 50o, and on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§720, 720a, 739, 740, 740a, 740b, 769 (R.S. 4668; June 23, 1874, ch. 455, §1, 18 Stat. 220; June 17, 1910, ch. 301, §7, 36 Stat. 538; Mar. 3, 1915, ch. 81, §5, 38 Stat. 927; Aug. 28, 1916, ch. 414, §3, 39 Stat. 538; May 22, 1926, ch. 371, §6, 44 Stat. 626; Feb. 25, 1925, ch. 313, §3, 45 Stat. 1262; Aug. 16, 1937, ch. 665, §3, 50 Stat. 667; June 26, 1948, ch. 672, §§1, 3, 62 Stat. 1050).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 541 was renumbered section 2903 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 81 of this title as this section.

1982—Pub. L. 97–322 authorized the Coast Guard to contractually establish, maintain, and operate aids to maritime navigation.

1976—Pub. L. 94–546 substituted "Federal Aviation Administration" for "Federal Aviation Agency" in cl. (3)(c).

1966—Pub. L. 89–662 expanded authorization for establishment, maintenance, and operation of aids to air navigation and electronic aids to navigation systems required to serve the needs of the armed forces to include needs peculiar to warfare and primarily of military concern as determined by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of any department within the Department of Defense, substituted "electronic aids to navigation systems" for "Loran stations", and altered the list of locations where aids to navigation other than electronic aids to navigation could be located by adding the waters above the Continental Shelf and by striking out places where such aids to navigation had been established prior to June 26, 1948.

1958—Pub. L. 85–726 substituted "Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency" for "Administrator of Civil Aeronautics".

1954—Act Sept. 3, 1954, substituted "Department of Defense" for "National Military Establishment".

1951—Act June 22, 1951, extended Coast Guard's authority to include the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Pub. L. 85–726, title XV, §1505(2), Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 810, provided that the amendment made by Pub. L. 85–726 is effective on 60th day following date on which Administrator of Federal Aviation Agency [Federal Aviation Administration] first appointed under Pub. L. 85–726 qualifies and takes office. Administrator appointed, qualified, and took office on Oct. 31, 1958.

Discontinuance of an Aid to Navigation

Pub. L. 114–120, title II, §210, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 41, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2016], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to navigation (other than a seasonal or temporary aid) established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard.

"(b) Requirement.—The process established under subsection (a) shall include procedures to notify the public of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described in that subsection.

"(c) Consultation.—In establishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations of the Navigation Safety Advisory Council.

"(d) Notification.—Not later than 30 days after establishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the process established."

Improved Safety Information for Vessels

Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §228, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3040, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2014], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process that allows an operator of a marine exchange or other non-Federal vessel traffic information service to use the automatic identification system to transmit weather, ice, and other important navigation safety information to vessels."

Aids to Navigation Report

Pub. L. 105–383, title II, §208, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3416, provided that not later than 18 months after Nov. 13, 1998, the Commandant of the Coast Guard was to submit to Congress a report on the use of the Coast Guard's aids to navigation system, including an analysis of the respective use of the aids to navigation system by commercial interests, members of the general public for personal recreation, Federal and State government for public safety, defense, and other similar purposes.

Report to Congress; Contractual Authority; Increase in Ratio of Civilian to Military Employees

Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §105(b), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1582, provided that: "Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 15, 1982], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit a report to the Congress evaluating—

"(1) the exercise by contract of the authority of the Coast Guard under section 81 [now 541] of title 14, United States Code, to establish, maintain, and operate aids to navigation, including a discussion of any problems involved in exercising such authority by contract, the reasons for exercising or failing to exercise such authority by contract in particular areas, and the feasibility of expanding the exercise of such authority by contract; and

"(2) the advantages and disadvantages of increasing the ratio of civilian to military employees assigned to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of aids to navigation on the inland waterways of the United States."

Contractual Authority Dependent Upon Availability of Appropriated Funds

Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §105(c), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1582, provided that: "Any authority to enter into contracts provided in this section [amending this section and enacting provision set out as Report to Congress; Contractual Authority; Increase in Ratio of Civilian to Military Employees note under this section] shall be available only to the extent that appropriated funds are available for that purpose."

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Ex. Ord. No. 7521. Use of Vessels for Ice-Breaking Operations in Channels and Harbors

Ex. Ord. No. 7521, Dec. 21, 1936, 1 F.R. 2527, provided:

1. The Coast Guard, operating under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, is hereby directed to assist in keeping open to navigation by means of ice-breaking operations, in so far as practicable and as the exigencies may require, channels and harbors in accordance with the reasonable demands of commerce; and to use for that purpose such vessels subject to its control and jurisdiction or which may be made available to it under paragraph 2 hereof as are necessary and are reasonably suitable for such operations.

2. The Secretary of War [Army], the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of Commerce are hereby directed to cooperate with the Coast Guard in such ice-breaking operations, and to furnish the Coast Guard, upon the request of the Commandant thereof, for this service such vessels under their jurisdiction and control as in the opinion of the Commandant, with the concurrence of the head of the Department concerned, are available and are, or may readily be made, suitable for this service.

§542. Unauthorized aids to maritime navigation; penalty

No person, or public body, or instrumentality, excluding the armed services, shall establish, erect, or maintain any aid to maritime navigation in or adjacent to the waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or on the high seas if that person, or public body, or instrumentality is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, without first obtaining authority to do so from the Coast Guard in accordance with applicable regulations. Whoever violates the provisions of this section or any of the regulations issued by the Secretary in accordance herewith shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,500 for each offense. Each day during which such violation continues shall be considered as a new offense.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 500, §83; Pub. L. 93–283, §1(1), May 14, 1974, 88 Stat. 139; Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §205(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3025; renumbered §542, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §759 (June 20, 1906, ch. 3447, §3, 34 Stat. 324; June 17, 1910, ch. 301, §6, 36 Stat. 538; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §2(a), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1432).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 542 was renumbered section 2904 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 83 of this title as this section.

2014—Pub. L. 113–281 substituted "$1,500" for "$100".

1974—Pub. L. 93–283 substituted "maritime navigation in or adjacent to the waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or on the high seas if that person, or public body, or instrumentality is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, without first obtaining authority" for "maritime navigation without first obtaining authority".

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§543. Interference with aids to navigation; penalty

It shall be unlawful for any person, or public body, or instrumentality, excluding the armed forces, to remove, change the location of, obstruct, wilfully damage, make fast to, or interfere with any aid to navigation established, installed, operated, or maintained by the Coast Guard pursuant to section 541 of this title, or with any aid to navigation lawfully maintained under authority granted by the Coast Guard pursuant to section 542 of this title, or to anchor any vessel in any of the navigable waters of the United States so as to obstruct or interfere with range lights maintained therein. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,500 for each offense. Each day during which such violation shall continue shall be considered as a new offense.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 500, §84; Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §205(a)(2), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3025; renumbered §543 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §§105(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200, 4240.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946, ed., §§761, 762 (May 14, 1908, ch. 168, §6, 35 Stat. 162; June 17, 1910, ch. 301, §6, 36 Stat. 538; Mar. 3, 1915, ch. 81, §8, 38 Stat. 928; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §2(a), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1432).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 543 was renumbered section 2905 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, §123(b)(2), substituted "section 541" for "section 81" and "section 542" for "section 83".

Pub. L. 115–282, §105(b), renumbered section 84 of this title as this section.

2014—Pub. L. 113–281 substituted "$1,500" for "$500".

§544. Aids to maritime navigation; penalty

The Secretary shall prescribe and enforce necessary and reasonable rules and regulations, for the protection of maritime navigation, relative to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of lights and other signals on fixed and floating structures in or over waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and in the high seas for structures owned or operated by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Any owner or operator of such a structure, excluding an agency of the United States, who violates any of the rules or regulations prescribed hereunder, commits a misdemeanor and shall be punished, upon conviction thereof, by a fine of not exceeding $1,500 for each day which such violation continues.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 501, §85; June 4, 1956, ch. 351, §1, 70 Stat. 226; Pub. L. 93–283, §1(2), May 14, 1974, 88 Stat. 139; Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §205(a)(3), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3025; renumbered §544, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §760 (May 14, 1908, ch. 168, §5, 35 Stat. 162).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 544 was renumbered section 2906 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 85 of this title as this section.

2014—Pub. L. 113–281 substituted "$1,500" for "$100".

1974—Pub. L. 93–283 struck out "on fixed structures" after "maritime navigation" in section catchline and in text substituted "fixed and floating structures in or over waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and in the high seas for structures owned or operated by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" for "fixed structures in or over navigable waters of the United States".

1956—Act June 4, 1956, amended section generally, vesting in Secretary rule-making authority, for the protection of maritime navigation, relative to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of lights and other signals on fixed structures in or over navigable waters of the United States, and excluding agencies of United States from its provisions.

§545. Marking of obstructions

The Secretary may mark for the protection of navigation any sunken vessel or other obstruction existing on the navigable waters or waters above the continental shelf of the United States in such manner and for so long as, in his judgment, the needs of maritime navigation require. The owner of such an obstruction shall be liable to the United States for the cost of such marking until such time as the obstruction is removed or its abandonment legally established or until such earlier time as the Secretary may determine. All moneys received by the United States from the owners of obstructions, in accordance with this section, shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts. This section shall not be construed so as to relieve the owner of any such obstruction from the duty and responsibility suitably to mark the same and remove it as required by law.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 501, §86; Pub. L. 89–191, Sept. 17, 1965, 79 Stat. 822; Pub. L. 93–283, §1(3), May 14, 1974, 88 Stat. 139; renumbered §545, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §736 (R.S. 4676; June 17, 1910, ch. 301, §6, 36 Stat. 538; Aug. 16, 1937, ch. 665, §1, 50 Stat. 666; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §2(a), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1432).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 86 of this title as this section.

1974—Pub. L. 93–283 substituted "the navigable waters or waters above the continental shelf of the United States" for "any navigable waters of the United States".

1965—Pub. L. 89–191 vested sole responsibility for wreck marking in the Coast Guard by giving the Secretary discretionary authority to mark wrecks or other similar obstructions for as long as in his judgment the needs of maritime navigation may require, by removing reference to responsibility of the Department of the Army to mark wrecks, after abandonment and before removal, and by giving the Secretary the authority to terminate an owner's liability to pay the cost of marking a wreck.

§546. Deposit of damage payments

Whenever an aid to navigation or other property belonging to the Coast Guard is damaged or destroyed by a private person, and such private person or his agent shall pay to the satisfaction of the proper official of the Coast Guard for the cost of repair or replacement of such property, the Commandant may accept and deposit such payments, through proper officers of the Fiscal Service, Treasury Department, in special deposit accounts in the Treasury, for payment therefrom to the person or persons repairing or replacing the damaged property and refundment of amounts collected in excess of the cost of the repairs or replacements concerned. In the event that repair or replacement of the damaged property is effected by the Coast Guard, the appropriations bearing the cost thereof and current at the time collection is made shall be reimbursed from the special deposit account.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 547, §642; renumbered §546, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §721a (Aug. 16, 1937, ch. 665, §2, 50 Stat. 667).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 642 of this title as this section.

§547. Rewards for apprehension of persons interfering with aids to navigation

The Coast Guard may offer and pay rewards for the apprehension and conviction, or for information helpful therein, of persons found interfering in violation of law with aids to navigation maintained by the Coast Guard; or for information leading to the discovery of missing Coast Guard property or to recovery thereof.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 547, §643; renumbered §547, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §50c (Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 756, §32, 60 Stat. 857).

Section is enlarged to provide for payment of rewards for information leading to the discovery or recovery of missing Coast Guard property. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 643 of this title as this section.

§548.¹ Prohibition against officers and employees being interested in contracts for materials

No officer, enlisted member, or civilian member of the Coast Guard in any manner connected with the construction, operation, or maintenance of lighthouses, shall be interested, either directly or indirectly, in any contract for labor, materials, or supplies for the construction, operation, or maintenance of lighthouses, or in any patent, plan, or mode of construction or illumination, or in any article of supply for the construction, operation, or maintenance of lighthouses.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8509(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4756.)

¹ Another section 548 is set out after section 550 of this title.

§549. Lighthouse and other sites; necessity and sufficiency of cession by State of jurisdiction

(a) No lighthouse, beacon, public pier, or landmark, shall be built or erected on any site until cession of jurisdiction over the same has been made to the United States.

(b) For the purposes of subsection (a), a cession by a State of jurisdiction over a place selected as the site of a lighthouse, or other structure or work referred to in subsection (a), shall be deemed sufficient if the cession contains a reservation that process issued under authority of such State may continue to be served within such place.

(c) If no reservation of service described in subsection (b) is contained in a cession, all process may be served and executed within the place ceded, in the same manner as if no cession had been made.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8509(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4756.)

§550. Marking pierheads in certain lakes

The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall properly mark all pierheads belonging to the United States situated on the northern and northwestern lakes, whenever he is duly notified by the department charged with the construction or repair of pierheads that the construction or repair of any such pierhead has been completed.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8509(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4756.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 551 to 555 were renumbered sections 2921 to 2925 of this title, respectively.

§548.¹ Marking anchorage grounds by Commandant of the Coast Guard

The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide, establish, and maintain, out of the annual appropriations for the Coast Guard, buoys or other suitable marks for marking anchorage grounds for vessels in waters of the United States, when such anchorage grounds have been defined and established by proper authority in accordance with the laws of the United States.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVIII, §11808(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4166.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

The text of section 472 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, which was transferred to appear at the end of this subchapter, redesignated as section 548 of this title, and amended by Pub. L. 117–263, §11808(c), was based on act Sept. 15, 1922, ch. 313, 42 Stat. 844.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "The Commandant of the Coast Guard" for "That hereafter the Commissioner of Lighthouses" and "for the Coast Guard" for "for the Lighthouse Service".

¹ Another section 548 is set out after section 547 of this title.