46 USC § 4702 - Abandonment of barge prohibited

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s4702"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 4702 - Abandonment of barge prohibited"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "4702"
section_name: "Abandonment of barge prohibited"
chapter_number: 47
chapter_name: "ABANDONMENT OF VESSELS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "BARGES"
part_number: "B"
part_name: "Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5302, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5082; amended Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(18), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.)"
---


# § 4702. Abandonment of barge prohibited

An owner or operator of a barge may not abandon it on the navigable waters of the United States. A barge is deemed not to be abandoned if—

**(1)** it is located at a Federally- or State-approved mooring area;

**(2)** it is on private property with the permission of the owner of the property; or

**(3)** the owner or operator notifies the Secretary that the barge is not abandoned and the location of the barge.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5302, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5082; amended Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(18), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006— struck out subsec. (a) designation before “An owner”.