46 CFR § 307.1 - Purpose.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s307.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 307.1 - Purpose."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "307.1"
section_name: "Purpose."
chapter_name: "MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "F"
subchapter_name: "POSITION REPORTING SYSTEM"
part_number: "307"
part_name: "ESTABLISHMENT OF MANDATORY POSITION REPORTING SYSTEM FOR VESSELS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Pub. L. 109-304; 46 U.S.C. 50113; Pub. L. 114-74; 49 CFR 1.93."
regulatory_source: "51 FR 18329, May 19, 1986, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "307"
---


# 307.1 Purpose.

This part establishes that operators of U.S.-flag oceangoing vessels in U.S. foreign trade and certain foreign-flag vessels as described in 46 U.S.C. 1283 must report on their locations according to the provisions of this regulation to enhance the safety of vessel operations at sea and provide a contingency for events of national emergency.