Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§10101 Definitions

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part G— - Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter CHAPTER 101— - GENERAL › § 10101

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines. 'Master'—person in command. 'Owner'—vessel's owner. 'Seaman'—person working on board, excluding scientific staff and sailing-school instructors or students. 'Fishing vessel'—fish tenders and fish-processing vessels entered service before Jan 1, 1988 and ≤1,600 gross tons (or alternate tonnage), or entered after Dec 31, 1987 with ≤16 people preparing fish.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §10101

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In this part—
(1)“master” means the individual having command of a vessel.
(2)“owner” means the person to whom the vessel belongs.
(3)“seaman” means an individual (except scientific personnel, a sailing school instructor, or a sailing school student) engaged or employed in any capacity on board a vessel.
(4)“fishing vessel” includes—
(A)a fish tender vessel; or
(B)a fish processing vessel entered into service before January 1, 1988, and not more than 1,600 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title or entered into service after December 31, 1987, and having not more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1010146:713 section 10101 defines the terms master, seaman, and owner as they apply to merchant seamen’s protection and relief.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Par. (4)(B). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “1,600 gross tons”. 1986—Pars. (1), (3). Pub. L. 99–640 struck out “owned by a citizen of the United States” after “vessel”. 1984—Par. (4). Pub. L. 98–364, as amended Pub. L. 98–557, added par. (4).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 10101

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73