2018 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part C - Financial Assistance Programs
Chapter 539 - War Risk Insurance
Sec. 53901 - Definitions

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 53901 (2018)
Section Name §53901. Definitions
Section Text

In this chapter:

(1) American vessel.—The term "American vessel" includes—

(A) a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title;

(B) an undocumented vessel owned or chartered by or made available to the United States Government; and

(C) a tug, barge, or other watercraft (whether or not documented) owned by a citizen of the United States and used in essential water transportation or in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.


(2) Cargo.—The term "cargo" includes a loaded or empty container on a vessel.

(3) Transportation in the waterborne commerce of the united states.—The term "transportation in the waterborne commerce of the United States" includes the operation of a vessel in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.

(4) War risks.—The term "war risks" includes, to the extent the Secretary of Transportation determines—

(A) any part of a loss excluded from marine insurance coverage under a "free of capture or seizure" clause or analogous clause; and

(B) any other loss from a hostile act, including confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, or deprivation.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1626.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
53901(1) 46 App.:1281(a). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §§1201(a), (b), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 773.
53901(2) 46 App.:1283(b) (last sentence). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §1203(b) (last sentence), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 94–523, §2, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2474.
53901(3) 46 App.:1281(b).
53901(4) 46 App.:1281(c). June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, §1201(c), as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 773; restated Pub. L. 107–107, title XXXV, §3502, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1392.

In paragraph (1)(A), the words "a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title" are substituted for "any vessel registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States" because of 46 U.S.C. 12101(b).

In paragraph (1)(B). the words "or any department or agency thereof" are omitted as surplus.

In paragraph (1)(C), the word "fisheries" is substituted for "fishing trade or industry" because of the definition of "fisheries" 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 V - Merchant Marine
Part C - Financial Assistance Programs
CHAPTER 539 - WAR RISK INSURANCE
Sec. 53901 - Definitions
Contains section 53901
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 64 Stat. 773, 774
90 Stat. 2474
115 Stat. 1392
120 Stat. 1626
Public Law References Public Law 94-523, Public Law 107-107, Public Law 109-304
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