---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 31110"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "31110"
heading: "Subpoenas to officers or members of crew"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/31110"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Maritime Liability"
  - "Chapter 311 — Suits Involving Public Vessels"
---

# §31110. Subpoenas to officers or members of crew


An officer or member of the crew of a [public vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=35) may not be subpoenaed in a civil action under this chapter without the consent of—

- (1) the [Secretary](/usc/46/31301.md?p=7) of the department or the head of the independent establishment having control of the vessel at the time the cause of action arose; or
- (2) the master or commanding officer of the vessel at the time the subpoena is issued.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1522.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 31110 | 46 App.:784. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, § 4, 43 Stat. 1112. |