# 33 U.S.C. § 853: Power to settle claims

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853

## Section

- **Citation:** 33 U.S.C. § 853
- **Heading:** Power to settle claims
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS > CHAPTER 17—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION > SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

## Text

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, and determine all claims for damages, where the amount of the claim does not exceed $2,500, occasioned, subsequent to June 5, 1920 , by acts for which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is responsible.

( June 5, 1920, ch. 256 , 41 Stat. 1054 ; Pub. L. 93–608, § 1(4) , Jan. 2, 1975 , 88 Stat. 1967 ; Pub. L. 98–176 , Nov. 29, 1983 , 97 Stat. 1124 .)

## Nearby sections

- [33 U.S.C. § 851 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s851.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 851a Repealed. June 3, 1948, ch. 390, § 22(a) , formerly § 21(a), 62 Stat. 300 ; renumbered § 22(a), Sept. 14, 1961 , Pub. L. 87–233, § 1(f) , 75 Stat. 506](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s851a.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 852 to 852b Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s852...852b.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853 Power to settle claims](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853a to 853l Repealed. Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 271(1) , Dec. 19, 2002 , 116 Stat. 3094](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853a...853l.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853m, 853n Repealed. Oct. 12, 1949, ch. 681 , title V, § 531(b)(41), 63 Stat. 840](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853m%20_us_usc_t33_s853n.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853o Repealed. Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 271(1) , Dec. 19, 2002 , 116 Stat. 3094](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853o.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853o–1 Credit of service as deck officer or junior engineer and certain other active service for retirement and retirement pay](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853o%E2%80%931.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853p to 853r Repealed. Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 271(1) , Dec. 19, 2002 , 116 Stat. 3094](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853p...853r.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853s Repealed. Pub. L. 88–431, § 1(c)(2) , Aug. 14, 1964 , 78 Stat. 440](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853s.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 853t to 854 Repealed. Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 271(1) , (4), Dec. 19, 2002 , 116 Stat. 3094](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853t...854.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 854a Service credit as deck officer or junior engineer for promotion purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s854a.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 854a–1 Temporary appointment or advancement of commissioned officers in time of war or national emergency](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s854a%E2%80%931.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 854a–2 Pay and allowances; date of acceptance of promotion](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s854a%E2%80%932.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s853. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.