Notwithstanding sections 3851 , 3852 , 3853 , and 3855 of this title, if a violation of the Convention is committed by a vessel registered in or of the nationality of a country that is a party to the Convention, or by a vessel operated under the authority of a country that is a party to the Convention, the Secretary, acting in coordination with the Secretary of State, may refer the matter to the government of the country of the vessel’ s registry or nationality, or under whose authority the vessel is operating, for appropriate action, rather than taking the actions otherwise required or authorized by this subchapter. ( Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1046 , Oct. 15, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3031 .) Editorial Notes References in Text This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle D (§§ 1041–1048) of title X of Pub. L. 111–281 , Oct. 15, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3029 , which enacted this subchapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of subtitle D to the Code, see Tables.