46 U.S.C. § 10301

Application

(a)

Except as otherwise specifically provided, this chapter applies to a vessel of the United States—

(1)

on a voyage between a port in the United States and a port in a foreign country (except a port in Canada, Mexico, or the West Indies); or

(2)

of at least 75 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title , or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title on a voyage between a port of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean and a port of the United States on the Pacific Ocean.

(b)

This chapter does not apply to a vessel on which the seamen are entitled by custom or agreement to share in the profit or result of a voyage or to riding gang members.

(c)

Unless otherwise provided, this chapter does not apply to a foreign vessel.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 561 ; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 737 , Oct. 19, 1996 , 110 Stat. 3941 ; Pub. L. 109–241, title III, § 312(c)(2) , July 11, 2006 , 120 Stat. 533 .)