1. (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.

2. (b) Exceptions.— Subsection (a) does not apply to—

   1. (1) a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or
   2. (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.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60 inserted “or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))” after “citizen”.

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “command” for “commmand”.