46 U.S.C. § 53901

Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) American vessel.—

The term “American vessel” includes—

(A)

a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title;

(B)

an undocumented vessel owned or chartered by or made available to the United States Government; and

(C)

a tug, barge, or other watercraft (whether or not documented) owned by a citizen of the United States and used in essential water transportation or in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.

(2) Cargo.—

The term “cargo” includes a loaded or empty container on a vessel.

(3) Transportation in the waterborne commerce of the united states.—

The term “transportation in the waterborne commerce of the United States” includes the operation of a vessel in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.

(4) War risks.—

The term “war risks” includes, to the extent the Secretary of Transportation determines—

(A)

any part of a loss excluded from marine insurance coverage under a “free of capture or seizure” clause or analogous clause; and

(B)

any other loss from a hostile act, including confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, or deprivation.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c) , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1626 .)