2018 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle IV - Regulation of Ocean Shipping
Part C - Miscellaneous
Chapter 441 - Evidence of Financial Responsibility for Passenger Transportation
Sec. 44103 - Financial responsibility to pay liability for death or injury

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 44103 (2018)
Section Name §44103. Financial responsibility to pay liability for death or injury
Section Text

(a) General Requirement.—The owner or charterer of a vessel to which this chapter applies shall establish, under regulations prescribed by the Federal Maritime Commission, financial responsibility to meet liability for death or injury to passengers or other individuals on a voyage to or from a port in the United States.

(b) Amounts.—

(1) In general.—The amount of financial responsibility required under subsection (a) shall be based on the number of passenger accommodations as follows:

(A) $20,000 for each of the first 500 passenger accommodations.

(B) $15,000 for each additional passenger accommodation between 501 and 1,000.

(C) $10,000 for each additional passenger accommodation between 1,001 and 1,500.

(D) $5,000 for each additional passenger accommodation over 1,500.


(2) Multiple vessels.—If the owner or charterer is operating more than one vessel subject to this chapter, the amount of financial responsibility shall be based on the number of passenger accommodations on the vessel with the largest number of passenger accommodations.


(c) Availability To Pay Judgment.—The amount determined under subsection (b) shall be available to pay a judgment for damages (whether less than or more than $20,000) for death or injury to a passenger or other individual on a voyage to or from a port in the United States.

(d) Means of Establishing.—Financial responsibility under this section may be established by one or more of the following if acceptable to the Commission:

(1) Insurance.

(2) Surety bond issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the United States.

(3) Qualification as a self-insurer.

(4) Other evidence of financial responsibility.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1554.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
44103 46 App.:817d(a) (1st–5th, 29th–last words), (b). Pub. L. 89–777, §2(a) (1st–5th, 29th–last words), (b), Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1356.

In subsection (d)(2), the words "issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the United States" are substituted for 46 App. U.S.C. 817d(b) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any territory or possession of the United States" are omitted as unnecessary because of the definition of "United States" in chapter 1 of the revised title.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle IV - Regulation of Ocean Shipping
Part C - Miscellaneous
CHAPTER 441 - EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
Sec. 44103 - Financial responsibility to pay liability for death or injury
Contains section 44103
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 80 Stat. 1356
120 Stat. 1554
Public Law References Public Law 89-777, Public Law 109-304
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