Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§31303 Certain Civil Actions Not Authorized
Title 46 › Subtitle III — Maritime Liability › CHAPTER 313 — COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MARITIME LIENS › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL › § 31303
Summary
You cannot use this chapter to sue or seize non-vessel property that is covered by a vessel mortgage.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §31303
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If a mortgage covers a vessel and additional property that is not a vessel, this chapter does not authorize a civil action in rem to enforce the rights of the mortgagee under the mortgage against the additional property.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 3130346:954(b) section 31303 makes it clear that, if a mortgage covers a vessel and additional property that is not a vessel, this chapter does not authorize a civil action in rem in admiralty to enforce rights against the additional property. This section makes no substantive change to law.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1989, with certain exceptions and qualifications, see section 107 of Pub. L. 100–710, set out as a note under section 31301 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 31303
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102