U.S. Code » Title 46 » Subtitle Subtitle III— Maritime Liability › Chapter CHAPTER 305— EXONERATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL PROVISIONS

46 U.S.C. § 30502

Application

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(a)In General.—Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except section 30521) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.(b)Exception.—This chapter (except for section 30526) shall not apply to covered small passenger vessels.(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1512; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXV, § 11503(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4130.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

30502

46 App.:188.

R.S. § 4289; Feb. 18, 1875, ch. 80, § 1 (related to R.S. § 4289), 18 Stat. 320; June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 4, 24 Stat. 80; June 5, 1936, ch. 521, § 4, 49 Stat. 1481.

Editorial NotesAmendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except section 30503) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.”

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2020–2025 · leading case: S. Recycling, L.L.C., 982 F.3d 374 (5th Cir. 2020).
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S. Recycling, L.L.C., 982 F.3d 374 (5th Cir. 2020). · cites it 2× “” 46 U.S.C. § 30502 . Claimants argued that, because DBL 134 was being broken for scrap when the accident happened, it was a “dead ship”—not a vessel—and the court was without subject matter jurisdiction to hear the limitation claim.”
William Ehart, Jr. v. Lahaina Divers, Inc., 92 F.4th 844 (9th Cir. 2024). “See 46 U.S.C. § 30502 (b). No party has contended that this exception is relevant to our resolution of this appeal, and I express no view on that question.”
Koch v. All Potential (M.D. Fla. 2025). · cites it 3× “” 46 U.S.C. § 30502 (a); 30529(a). Thus, both Petitioner and the Vessel must fall within those definitions.”
In re: In the Matter of Am. Com. Barge Line, LLC. (E.D. La. 2023). · cites it 2× “80 46 U.S.C. § 30502 (2006). 81 Id. 82 1 U.S.”
In re: MV/MS Adalyn (S.D. Tex. 2025). · cites it 2× “” 46 U.S.C. § 30502 (a)–(b). The Act defines a “covered small passenger vessel” as “a small passenger vessel .”
In re Brian Christopher Amble as the alleged owner of a certain 1971 Far East Mariner 40 bearing hull identification No. GM82 & her engines, tackle, appurtenances, etc. (N.D. Cal. 2021). “46 U.S.C. § 30502 ; Gibboney v. Wright, 517 F.”
Dempsey v. Wild Side Specialty Tours, LLC (D. Haw. 2022). “” 46 U.S.C. § 30502 . 2. 26 U.S.C. § 30509 Applies To Vessels Transporting Passengers Between Ports In The United States Defendant next argues that Section 30509 is not applicable in this case because Defendant was not “transporting passengers between ports in the United States.”
In Re: Texas Petroleum Inv. Co. (E.D. La. 2024). “” 46 U.S.C. § 30502 (a). However, under the amendments, the chapter does not apply to “covered small passenger vessels.”
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