46 U.S.C. § 30103

Liability of master, mate, engineer, and pilot

A person may bring a civil action against a master, mate, engineer, or pilot of a vessel, and recover damages, for personal injury or loss caused by the master’s, mate’s, engineer’s, or pilot’s—

(1)

negligence or willful misconduct; or

(2)

neglect or refusal to obey the laws governing the navigation of vessels.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c) , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1510 .)