33 U.S.C. § 1601

Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter—

(1)

“vessel” means every description of watercraft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water; and

(2)

“high seas” means all parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of any nation.

( Pub. L. 95–75, § 2 , July 27, 1977 , 91 Stat. 308 .)