Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8891

Scope of chapter

(a)
This chapter applies to any suit against the United States under chapter 311 of title 46 for—
(1)
damage caused by a vessel in the naval service; or
(2)
compensation for towage or salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a vessel in the naval service.
(b)
In this chapter, the term “vessel in the naval service” means—
(1)
any vessel of the Navy, manned by the Navy, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Navy; or
(2)
when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy, any vessel of the Coast Guard, manned by the Coast Guard, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Coast Guard.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 483Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 513(43)94 Stat. 2935Pub. L. 100–26, § 7(k)(10)101 Stat. 284Pub. L. 103–35, title II, § 201(c)(11)107 Stat. 98Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(a)(6)120 Stat. 1706Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(d)(10)132 Stat. 1837(, , § 7721; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 8891, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

7721(a)

46 U.S.C. 791 (2d sentence).

July 3, 1944, ch. 399, § 1 (2d sentence), 58 Stat. 723.

7721(b)

46 U.S.C. 793.

July 3, 1944, ch. 399, § 3, 58 Stat. 724.

In subsection (a) the words “wherein a claim is made” are omitted as surplusage. The words “vessel in the naval service” are substituted for the words “vessel in the Navy, or in the naval service” for brevity. No change in meaning results, since the term used in subsection (a) is defined in subsection (b).

14 U.S.C. 3In subsection (b) the words “service in” are substituted for the words “part of” to conform to the terminology used in .

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 7721 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 109–3042006—Subsec. (a). substituted “chapter 311 of title 46” for “the Act of (commonly referred to as the ‘Public Vessels Act’) (46 U.S.C. App. 781–790)”.

Pub. L. 103–3546 U.S.C. 781–7901993—Subsec. (a). substituted “(46 U.S.C. App. 781–790)” for “()”.

Pub. L. 100–261987—Subsec. (b). inserted “, the term” after “In this chapter”.

Pub. L. 96–51346 U.S.C. 781–7901980—Subsec. (a). substituted “the Act of (commonly referred to as the ‘Public Vessels Act’) ()” for “sections 781–790 of title 46”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–513section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .