46 U.S.C. § 31341

Persons presumed to have authority to procure necessaries

(a)

The following persons are presumed to have authority to procure necessaries for a vessel:

(1)

the owner;

(2)

the master;

(3)

a person entrusted with the management of the vessel at the port of supply; or

(4)

an officer or agent appointed by—

(A)

the owner;

(B)

a charterer;

(C)

an owner pro hac vice; or

(D)

an agreed buyer in possession of the vessel.

(b)

A person tortiously or unlawfully in possession or charge of a vessel has no authority to procure necessaries for the vessel.

( Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c) , Nov. 23, 1988 , 102 Stat. 4748 ; Pub. L. 101–225, title III, § 303(5) , Dec. 12, 1989 , 103 Stat. 1924 .)