§70502 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter and says the definitions in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) also apply. Vessel of the United States means a boat that is documented under chapter 121 or numbered under chapter 123, or one partly owned by U.S. citizens, the U.S. government, a state or local government, or a U.S. corporation, unless it has foreign nationality and the master claims that foreign registry when U.S. authorities try to enforce the law, or a boat that used to be U.S.-documented but was illegally sold, reflagged, or put under foreign authority. Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes stateless boats, boats treated as stateless under the 1958 High Seas Convention, foreign-flag boats when the foreign nation consents, boats in U.S. customs waters, boats in a foreign nation’s territorial waters if that nation agrees, and boats in the U.S. contiguous zone (per Presidential Proclamation 7219 of September 2, 1999) that are arriving, leaving, or are “hovering” as defined in the Tariff Act. Vessel without nationality covers several situations where no valid claim of registry or nationality exists or is denied or not made when asked. A claim of nationality or registry means showing documents, flying a flag, or the master saying the boat’s nationality. Semi-submersible means a craft built to run mostly under the surface; submersible means a craft that can operate completely under the surface; both include manned and unmanned craft. Consent by a foreign nation may be given orally or electronically and is proven by certification from the Secretary of State or a designee.