§ 869. Creation of Fund for Insurance of Interests of United States

     The Secretary of Transportation may create out of insurance premiums, and revenue from operations and sales, and maintain and administer separate insurance funds which he may use to insure in whole or in part against all hazards commonly covered by insurance policies in such cases, any legal or equitable interest of the United States (1) in any vessel constructed or in process of construction; and (2) in any plants or property in the possession or under the authority of the Secretary of Transportation. The United States shall be held to have such an interest in any vessel toward the construction, reconditioning, remodeling, improving, or equipping of which a loan has been made under the authority of this Act, in any vessel upon which he holds a mortgage or lien of any character, or in any vessel which is obligated by contract with the owner to perform any service in behalf of the United States, to the extent of the Government’s interest therein.

(June 5, 1920, ch. 250, § 10, 41 Stat. 992; May 22, 1928, ch. 675, § 501, 45 Stat. 697; Ex. Ord. No. 6166, § 12, eff. June 10, 1933; June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title II, § 204, title IX, § 904, 49 Stat. 1987, 2016; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(42), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 156.)

References in Text

     This Act, referred to in text, means act June 5, 1920, ch. 250, 41 Stat. 988, as amended, known as the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, which (except for sections repealed or reenacted in Title 46, Shipping) is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 889 of this Appendix and Tables.

Amendments

     1981—Pub. L. 97–31 substituted "Secretary of Transportation" for "Commission" in two places and "he" for "it" in two places. For prior transfers of functions, see Transfer of Functions note below.

     1928—Act May 22, 1928, inserted sentence relating to extent of interest of United States, among other changes.

Transfer of Functions

     "Commission", meaning United States Maritime Commission, substituted in text for "board", meaning United States Shipping Board. For dissolution of Board and transfer of functions to United States Maritime Commission, see Ex. Ord. No. 6166 and act June 29, 1936. Ex. Ord. No. 6166 is set out as a note under section 901 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. For subsequent transfers of functions, see Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1949, Reorg. Plan No. 21 of 1950, and Reorg. Plan No. 7 of 1961, set out under section 1111 of this Appendix.