Us Code § 53901 - Definitions

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 53901 — Definitions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 53901. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) American vessel.—The term "American vessel" includes—

(A) a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title;

(B) an undocumented vessel owned or chartered by or made available to the United States Government; and

(C) a tug, barge, or other watercraft (whether or not documented) owned by a citizen of the United States and used in essential water transportation or in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.


(2) Cargo.—The term "cargo" includes a loaded or empty container on a vessel.

(3) Transportation in the waterborne commerce of the united states.—The term "transportation in the waterborne commerce of the United States" includes the operation of a vessel in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.

(4) War risks.—The term "war risks" includes, to the extent the Secretary of Transportation determines—

(A) any part of a loss excluded from marine insurance coverage under a "free of capture or seizure" clause or analogous clause; and

(B) any other loss from a hostile act, including confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, or deprivation.

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1626.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
53901(1) 46 App.:1281(a). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §§1201(a), (b), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 773.
53901(2) 46 App.:1283(b) (last sentence). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §1203(b) (last sentence), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 94–523, §2, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2474.
53901(3) 46 App.:1281(b).
53901(4) 46 App.:1281(c). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §1201(c), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 773; restated Pub. L. 107–107, title XXXV, §3502, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1392.

In paragraph (1)(A), the words "a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title" are substituted for "any vessel registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States" because of 46 U.S.C. 12101(b).

In paragraph (1)(B). the words "or any department or agency thereof" are omitted as surplus.

In paragraph (1)(C), the word "fisheries" is substituted for "fishing trade or industry" because of the definition of "fisheries" in chapter 1 of the revised title.

About This Section

46 U.S.C. § 53901 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 46 U.S.C. § 53901. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 53901

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Sources & Verification

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