46 U.S.C. § 2109

Public vessels

Except as otherwise provided, this subtitle does not apply to a public vessel of the United States. However, this subtitle does apply to a vessel (except a Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation vessel) owned or operated by the Department of Transportation or by any corporation organized or controlled by the Department.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 507 ; Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5102(b)(3) , Oct. 21, 1986 , 100 Stat. 1927 ; Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 902(e)(1) , July 11, 2006 , 120 Stat. 567 ; Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 903(a)(5)(A) , Oct. 15, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3010 ; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title V, § 512(c)(6)(A) , Dec. 27, 2020 , 134 Stat. 2756 .)