N.Y. NAV Law § 61

§ 61. Repairs and modifications. 1. Before any repair or modification\nis made to the structure or engineering plant of a public vessel, or any\nrepair or modification is made that may affect the stability,\nseaworthiness or safe operation of a public vessel, or in the event that\nthe owner of a public vessel becomes aware of any such repair or\nmodification, the owner shall notify the inspector of the repair or\nmodification or proposed repair or modification in writing. The\ninspector shall be authorized to determine whether a proposed repair or\nmodification may be made, whether inspection of the vessel shall be\nrequired before any proposed repair or modification is made, or whether\ninspection should be made after repair or modification. The inspector\nshall also be authorized to determine whether the vessel may be operated\npending inspection, or whether the vessel may only be operated after\ninspection, or whether it may not be operated. The inspector may impose\nconditions on any such repair or modification, inspection and operation\ntaking into consideration the nature of the proposed or existing repair\nor modification, the condition of the vessel and any other factors the\ninspector deems relevant to the stability, seaworthiness and safe\noperation of such vessel. The owner shall comply with the determination\nof the inspector.\n 2. An owner who fails to give notification as required by this\nsection, or who modifies or permits the repair or modification of a\npublic vessel in contravention of the requirements of this section,\nshall be guilty of a violation punishable as set forth in section\nseventy-three-c of this article.\n 3. A public vessel which the inspector has directed to be inspected\nprior to operation pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not\nbe operated upon the navigable waters of the state if such vessel has\nnot been inspected. A public vessel which the inspector has directed not\nto be operated pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be\noperated upon the navigable waters of the state. An owner who permits\nthe operation of a public vessel in contravention of this section shall\nbe guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in seventy-three-b of\nthis article, and the certificate of inspection of said public vessel\nmay, in the discretion of the inspector, be suspended until such time as\nthe inspector determines that said vessel is stable, seaworthy and safe.\n