{"data":{"id":"us/46-u.s.c.-5105","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"46 U.S.C. § 5105","heading":"Load line surveys","body":"(a) The Secretary may provide for annual, renewal, and other load line surveys. (b) In conducting a load line survey, the Secretary shall consider whether—(1) the hull and fittings of the vessel—(A) are adequate to protect the vessel from the sea; and (B) meet other requirements the Secretary may prescribe by regulation; (2) the strength of the hull is adequate for all loading conditions; (3) the stability of the vessel is adequate for all loading conditions; (4) the topsides of the vessel are arranged and constructed to allow rapid overboard drainage of deck water in heavy weather; and (5) the topsides of the vessel are adequate in design, arrangement, and equipment to protect crewmembers performing outside tasks necessary for safe operation of the vessel.","path":["Title 46—SHIPPING","CHAPTER 51—LOAD LINES"],"source_url":"https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/103/xml_usc46@119-103.zip","current_through":"Public Law 119-103 (09/02/2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-10T06:00:50Z","sha256":"c2ae5cfeccda35a699ca594927888e62ffa59d1c0d979f58313dca2e1abb9fe1","source_id":"us","stale":false,"prev":"us/46-u.s.c.-5104","next":"us/46-u.s.c.-5106"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}