1. (a) In General.— The Secretary of Transportation may provide insurance under this chapter against legal liability that a person may incur in providing services or facilities for a vessel if, in the opinion of the Secretary, the insurance—

   1. (1) is required in prosecuting a war or for national defense; and
   2. (2) cannot be obtained at reasonable rates or on reasonable terms and conditions from approved companies authorized to do insurance business in a State of the United States.
2. (b) Limitations.— Employer liability insurance and worker compensation insurance against legal liability to employees may not be provided under this section.

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1628.)

In subsection (a), the words “a vessel” are substituted for “any American- or foreign-flag vessel, public or private” to eliminate unnecessary words.