46 U.S.C. § 3701

Definitions

In this chapter—

(1)

“existing”, when referring to a type of vessel to which this chapter applies, means a vessel that is not a new vessel.

(2)

“new”, when referring to a type of vessel to which this chapter applies, means a vessel—

(A)

for which the building contract is placed after June 1, 1979 ;

(B)

in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, after January 1, 1980 ;

(C)

the delivery of which is after June 1, 1982 ; or

(D)

that has undergone a major conversion under a contract made after June 1, 1979 , or construction work that began after January 1, 1980 , or was completed after June 1, 1982 .

(3)

“person” means an individual (even if not a citizen or national of the United States), a corporation, partnership, association, or other entity (even if not organized or existing under the laws of a State), the United States Government, a State or local government, a government of a foreign country, or an entity of one of those governments.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 521 ; Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5102(b)(5) , Oct. 21, 1986 , 100 Stat. 1927 ; Pub. L. 100–424, § 8(c)(2) , Sept. 9, 1988 , 102 Stat. 1593 ; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3541(a)(2) , Aug. 13, 2018 , 132 Stat. 2323 .)