---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 30502"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "30502"
heading: "Application"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/30502"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Maritime Liability"
  - "Chapter 305 — Exoneration and Limitation of Liability"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §30502. Application

- (a) **In General.—** Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except [section 30521](/usc/46/30521.md)) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.
- (b) **Exception.—** This chapter (except for [section 30526](/usc/46/30526.md)) shall not apply to [covered small passenger vessels](/usc/46/30501.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1512; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXV, § 11503(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4130.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 30502 | 46 App.:188. | R.S. § 4289; Feb. 18, 1875, ch. 80, § 1 (related to R.S. § 4289), 18 Stat. 320; June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 4, 24 Stat. 80; June 5, 1936, ch. 521, § 4, 49 Stat. 1481. |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except section 30503) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.”