46 U.S.C. § 57103 — Donation of vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

(a) In General. The Secretary of Transportation may transfer the government's full ownership of an obsolete National Defense Reserve Fleet vessel, but only if the recipient meets all of these conditions: (1) it is a nonprofit organization, a state, or a municipal government or part of one; (2) it agrees not to use the vessel, or let anyone else use it, for commercial transportation; (3) it agrees to make the vessel available to the government again whenever the Secretary says it's needed; (4) it agrees to protect the government from any claims about exposure to asbestos, PCBs, lead paint, or other hazardous substances that arise after the transfer, except claims that arise from the government's own later use of the vessel; (5) it has submitted, and gotten approval for, a plan describing how the vessel will be transferred and used; (6) it has proven it has enough money to complete the transfer, make needed repairs, and start using the vessel as planned; and (7) it agrees that if it no longer needs the vessel for its planned use, it will either (A) give the vessel back to the government in good condition (minus normal wear and tear), if the Secretary asks — or (B) if the recipient's board decides to dissolve the organization under state law, then (i) give the vessel, as an asset, to a tax-exempt charity or to a government body for a public purpose, and (ii) have a court in the county where the recipient is based decide how to finally dispose of the vessel. (b) Other Equipment. At the Secretary's discretion, extra equipment taken from other obsolete Fleet vessels may also be given to the recipient, to help with maintenance, repairs, or modifications. (c) Additional Terms. The Secretary may add any other terms considered appropriate. (d) Delivery of Vessel. If a transfer happens under this section, the vessel is delivered to the recipient at a time and place the Secretary picks, and it is delivered "as is." (e) Limitations. If, before delivery, the Secretary decides a different plan for the vessel would better serve the government, the Secretary can switch to that better option — and is not responsible for any losses that an intended recipient suffers from having relied on the earlier proposed transfer. (f) Reversion. Every transfer under this section must include a term saying that if the Secretary later finds the vessel was used differently from the approved plan, full ownership reverts back to the government.