46 U.S.C. § 2113: Authority to exempt certain vessels

for a vessel, issue a special permit specifying the conditions of operation and equipment; exempt an oceanographic research vessel from that provision under conditions the Secretary may specify; establish different operating and equipment requirements for vessels defined in section 2101(55)(A) of this title ; and maintain different structural fire protection, manning, operating, and equipment requirements for vessels that satisfied requirements set forth in the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 ( Public Law 103–206 ) before June 21, 1994 .