Except pursuant to international treaty, convention, or agreement, to which the United States is a party, subchapters I through III and this subchapter shall not apply to any foreign vessel that is not destined for, or departing from, a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and that is in—

1. (1) innocent passage through the territorial sea of the United States; or
2. (2) transit through the navigable waters of the United States that form a part of an international strait.

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4261; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8507(a)(6), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4753.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “I through III” for “A through C” in introductory provisions.