46 U.S.C. § 53409 — Special rule regarding age of participating Fleet vessels

Any age restriction under section 53402(b)(4) of this title shall not apply to a participating Fleet vessel^* during the 30-month period beginning on the date the vessel^* begins operating under an operating agreement under this chapter, if the Secretary^* determines that the program participant^* for the vessel has entered into an arrangement to obtain and operate under the operating agreement for the participating Fleet vessel a replacement vessel that, upon commencement of such operation, will be eligible to be included in the Fleet under section 53402(b) of this title.