§ 12131. Command of documented vessels

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(a)In General.— Except as provided in subsection (b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) of the United States.

(b)Exceptions.— Subsection

(a)does not apply to—

(1)a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or

(2)an unmanned barge operating outside of the territorial waters of the United States.

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1505; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 603; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.)

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U.S. Code

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U.S. Code

Nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth
§ 1408

8 references not yet in our index

Pub. L. 109–304, § 5
120 Stat. 1505
Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3)
122 Stat. 603
Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C)
139 Stat. 1752
Pub. L. 119–60
Pub. L. 110–181

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§ 12131

Command of documented vessels

U.S.C.×2

U.S.C.§ 1408

Pub. L.Pub. L. 109–304, § 5

Stat.120 Stat. 1505

Pub. L.Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3)

Stat.122 Stat. 603

Pub. L.Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C)

Cites 9 · showing 6Cited by 2 across 1 source