Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70.djvu/210

 154

Op er at or B' cense*

Effective date.

Appropriation. Separability.

PUBLIC LAW 519-MAY 10, 1956

[70

STAT.

masters, officers, and owners shall be subject to the provisions of sections 4496, 449Y, 4498, 4499, and 4500 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (46 U.S.C. 494-498), relating to the imposition and enforcement of penalties and the enforcement of law: Provided, however, That until June 30, 1956, no vessel registered or licensed as a vessel of the United States of fifteen gross tons or less on December 31, 1953, shall be deemed to be subject to the inspection provisions of this section notwithstanding the fact that such vessel may thereafter be found to have a tonnage in excess of fifteen gross tons, unless such finding results from an alteration in the length, breadth, or depth effected after December 31, 1953." (c) Section 7 of the Act of April 25, 1940, as amended (54 Stat. 165; 46 U.S.C. 526f), is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 7. No such motorboat, and no other vessel of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery other than steam, while carrying passengers for hire, shall be operated or navigated except in charge of a person duly licensed for such service by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. Whenever any person applies to be licensed as operator of any motorboat, or of any other vessel of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery, carrying passengers for hire, the Secretary shall make diligent inquiry as to his character, and shall carefully examine the applicant orally as well as the proofs which he presents in support of his claim, and if the Secretary is satisfied that his capacity, experience, habits of living, and character are such to warrant the belief that he can safely be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the station for which he makes application, the Secretary shall grant him a license authorizing him to discharge such duties on any such motorboat, or on any other vessel of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery, carrying passengers for hire, for the term of five years. Such license shall be subject to suspension or revocation on the same grounds and in the same manner with like procedure as is provided in the case of suspension or revocation of licenses of officers under the provisions of section 4450 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (U.S.C. 1952 edition, title 46, sec. 239): Provided, That motorboats and other vessels of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery shall not be required to carry licensed officers except as required in this Act: And provided further, That licenses herein prescribed shall not be required of motorboats or of any other vessels of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery engaged in fishing contests previously arranged and announced." SEC. 7. Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to amend, alter, or otherwise affect the requirements of any International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea. SEC. 8. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 1957, or on the first day of the sixth month following the prescription of rules and regulations by the Secretary under section 3, hereof, whichever is later. SEC. 9. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. SEC. 10. If any provisions of this Act, or the application of any provision of this Act to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, and the remainder of this Act, shall not be affected thereby. Approved May 10, 1956.

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