33 USC § 891a - Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s891a"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 891a - Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "891a"
section_name: "Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet"
chapter_number: 17
chapter_name: "NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "NOAA FLEET MODERNIZATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 102–567, title VI, § 603, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4300; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8402(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1908.)"
---


# § 891a. Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet

The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations, shall operate and maintain a fleet of vessels to meet the requirements of NOAA in carrying out the mission and functions of NOAA, subject to the requirements of this subchapter.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 102–567, title VI, § 603, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4300; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8402(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1908.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025— substituted “Operation and maintenance of NOAA fleet” for “Fleet replacement and modernization program” in section catchline and “, acting through the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations, shall operate and maintain a fleet of vessels to meet the requirements of NOAA in carrying out the mission and functions of NOAA, subject to the requirements of this subchapter.” for “is authorized to implement, subject to the requirements of this subchapter, a 15-year program to replace and modernize the NOAA fleet.” in text.