---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 3509"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "3509"
heading: "Medical standards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/3509"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 35 — Carriage of Passengers"
---

# §3509. Medical standards


The [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of a vessel to which [section 3507](/usc/46/3507.md) applies shall ensure that—

- (1) a physician is always present and available to treat any passengers who may be on board the vessel in the event of an emergency situation;
- (2) the vessel is in compliance with the Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities established by the American College of Emergency Physicians; and
- (3) the initial safety briefing given to the passengers on board the vessel includes—
  - (A) the location of the vessel’s medical facilities; and
  - (B) the appropriate steps passengers should follow during a medical emergency.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8322(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4702.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Exemptions for Certain Passenger Vessels

For provisions exempting certain passenger vessels from the requirements authorized under this section, see section 11510 of Pub. L. 117–263, set out as a note under section 3508 of this title.