---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 2109"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "2109"
heading: "Public vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/2109"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 21 — General"
---

# §2109. Public vessels


Except as otherwise provided, this subtitle does not apply to a [public vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=35) of the United States. However, this subtitle does apply to a vessel (except a [Great Lakes](/usc/46/9301.md?p=2) St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation vessel) owned or operated by the Department of Transportation or by any corporation organized or controlled by the Department.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5102(b)(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1927; Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 902(e)(1), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 567; Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 903(a)(5)(A), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3010; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title V, § 512(c)(6)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2756.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 2109 | 46:362<br>46:363<br>46:391a(4) |

Section 2109 exempts public vessels from the applicability of the maritime safety and seamen’s welfare laws of this subtitle although some public vessels are inspected under interagency voluntary agreements.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation” for “Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation”.

2010—Pub. L. 111–281 amended directory language of Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(1). See 2006 Amendment note below.

2006—Pub. L. 109–241, § 902(e)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 111–281, struck out “a Coast Guard or” after “(except”.

1986—Pub. L. 99–509 substituted “Except as otherwise provided, this” for “This”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 903(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3010, provided that the amendment by section 903(a)(5)(A) is effective with enactment of Pub. L. 109–241.