46 U.S.C. § 12138 — List of documented vessels

(a) In general. The Secretary must periodically publish a list of all documented vessels, with information about them the Secretary considers useful. The list must clearly note which vessels are classed by the American Bureau of Shipping.

(b) Vessels for cable laying, maintenance, and repair. (1) The Secretary of Transportation must develop, maintain, and periodically update an inventory of documented vessels that are at least 200 feet long and can lay, maintain, or repair a submarine cable, whether or not they are officially classed as cable ships or vessels. (2) For each listed vessel^*, the inventory must include (A) its name, length, beam, depth, and other identifying features; (B) its abilities and limits for laying, maintaining, and repairing a submarine cable; and (C) contact information for inquiries about the vessel. (3) The Secretary of Transportation must publish an updated inventory in the Federal Register^* every 6 months.