Vessels subject to inspection

freight vessels. nautical school vessels. offshore supply vessels. passenger vessels. sailing school vessels. seagoing barges. seagoing motor vessels. small passenger vessels. steam vessels. tank vessels. fish processing vessels. fish tender vessels. Great Lakes barges. oil spill response vessels. towing vessels. the vessel does not carry any cargo or passengers for hire; the vessel does not engage in commercial service, commercial fisheries, or oceanographic research; and the vessel does not engage in towing. The authority to grant the exemptions under this subsection expires 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 13, 1998]. Any specific exemptions granted under this subsection shall nonetheless remain in effect.” the State plan for the inspection of small passenger vessels meets such requirements as the Secretary may require to ensure the safety and operation of such vessels in accordance with the standards that would apply if the Coast Guard were inspecting such vessels; and the State will provide such information obtained through the inspection program to the Secretary annually in such form and in such detail as the Secretary may require. The Secretary may adjust or waive the user fee imposed under section 3317 of title 46, United States Code, for the inspection of small passenger vessels inspected under the State program. The authority provided by subsection (a) terminates on December 31, 1999. The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. The term ‘State’ means the State of Minnesota. The term ‘small passenger vessel’ means a small passenger vessel (as defined in section 2101(35) [now 2101(49)] of title 46, United States Code) of not more than 40 feet overall in length.” The following categories of vessels are subject to inspection under this part: The Secretary may establish a pilot program to exempt a vessel of at least 300 gross tons as measured under chapter 143 or chapter 145 of title 46, United States Code, from the requirement to be inspected under section 3301(7) of title 46, United States Code, as a seagoing motor vessel, if— The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the State under which the State may inspect small passenger vessels operating in waters of that State designated by the Secretary, if— For purposes of this section— (Source: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 510; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(2), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 445; Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5208(b), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5076; Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, § 1104(g), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3967; Pub. L. 108–293, title IV, § 415(a), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1047.))