46 U.S.C. § 55109: Dredging

the vessel is wholly owned by citizens of the United States for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade; the charterer, if any, is a citizen of the United States for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade; and the vessel has been issued a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title or is exempt from documentation but would otherwise be eligible for such a certificate and endorsement. A documented vessel with a registry endorsement may engage in the dredging of gold in Alaska. If a vessel is operated in knowing violation of this section, the vessel and its equipment are liable to seizure by and forfeiture to the United States Government. the vessel STUYVESANT, official number 648540; any other hopper dredging vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code before the effective date of this Act [ Nov. 4, 1992 ] and chartered to Stuyvesant Dredging Company or to an entity in which it has an ownership interest; however, this exception expires on December 3, 2022 or when the vessel STUYVESANT ceases to be documented under chapter 121, whichever first occurs; and any other non-hopper dredging vessel documented under chapter 121 and chartered to Stuyvesant Dredging Company or to an entity in which it has an ownership interest, as is necessary (a) to fulfill dredging obligations under a specific contract, including any extension periods; or (b) as temporary replacement capacity for a vessel which has become disabled but only for so long as the disability shall last and until the vessel is in a position to fully resume dredging operations; however, this exception expires on December 8, 2022 or when the vessel STUYVESANT ceases to be documented under chapter 121, whichever first occurs; the vessel COLUMBUS, official number 590658, except that the vessel’s certificate of documentation shall be endorsed to prohibit the vessel from engaging in the transportation of merchandise (except valueless material), including dredge material of value, between places within the navigable waters of the United States; built in the United States; a non-self-propelled mechanical clamshell dredging vessel; and owned or chartered by a corporation that had on file with the Secretary of Transportation, on August 1, 1989 , the certificate specified in section 27A of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 883–1) [now 46 U.S.C. 12118 ]; or not engaged in a federally funded navigation dredging project; and engaged only in dredging associated with, and integral to, accomplishment of that parent’s regular business requirements. The exceptions provided by paragraph (2) shall apply under section 55109 of title 46 , United States Code, to the same extent as under former section 1 of the Act of May 28, 1906 [section 292 of the former Appendix to this title, from which this section was derived], as amended by paragraph (1).”