46 U.S.C. § 51702 — Civilian nautical schools

(a) Definition. A "civilian nautical school" is a school operated in the United States, other than the United States Merchant Marine Academy^*, a state maritime academy^*, or another school operated by the United States Government, that offers instruction to people quartered on a vessel^* mainly to train them for service in the merchant marine.

(b) Inspection. Each civilian nautical school is subject to inspection by the Secretary of Transportation.

(c) Rating and Certification. Under regulations the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may rate and certify civilian nautical schools for the adequacy of their courses of instruction, the competence of their instructors, and the suitability of the equipment used in their courses of instruction.