Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§2109 Public Vessels
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part A — General Provisions › CHAPTER 21 — GENERAL › § 2109
Summary
Most rules exclude U.S. public vessels; they cover DOT-owned or DOT-controlled vessels, except Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation vessels.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §2109
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Except as otherwise provided, this subtitle does not apply to a public vessel of the United States. However, this subtitle does apply to a vessel (except a Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation vessel) owned or operated by the Department of Transportation or by any corporation organized or controlled by the Department.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 210946:36246:36346:391a(4) section 2109 exempts public vessels from the applicability of the maritime safety and seamen’s welfare laws of this subtitle although some public vessels are inspected under interagency voluntary agreements.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2020—Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation” for “Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation”. 2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended directory language of Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(1). See 2006 Amendment note below. 2006—Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 111–281, struck out “a Coast Guard or” after “(except”. 1986—Pub. L. 99–509 substituted “Except as otherwise provided, this” for “This”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2010 Amendment Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 903(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3010, provided that the amendment by section 903(a)(5)(A) is effective with enactment of Pub. L. 109–241.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 2109
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102