---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 12131"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "12131"
heading: "Command of documented vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/12131"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part H — Identification of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 121 — Documentation of Vessels"
  - "Subchapter III — Miscellaneous"
---

# §12131. Command of documented vessels

- (a) **In General.—** Except as provided in [subsection (b)](#b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ([8 U.S.C. 1408](/usc/8/1408.md))) of the United States.
- (b) **Exceptions.—** [Subsection (a)](#a) does not apply to—
  - (1) a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or
  - (2) an unmanned barge operating outside of the territorial waters of the United States.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1505; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 603; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 12131 | 46:12110(d). |  |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60 inserted “or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))” after “citizen”.

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “command” for “commmand”.