---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 50503"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "50503"
heading: "Oceanographic research vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/50503"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part A — General"
  - "Chapter 505 — Other General Provisions"
---

# §50503. Oceanographic research vessels


An [oceanographic research vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=26) (as defined in [section 2101 of this title](/usc/46/2101.md)) is deemed not to be engaged in trade or commerce.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(b), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1567.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 50503 | 46 App.:441. | Pub. L. 89–99, §§ 1, 3, 4, July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 424. |
|  | 46 App.:443. |  |
|  | 46 App.:444. |  |

The definitions of “oceanographic research vessel” and “scientific personnel” in 46 App. U.S.C. 441 are omitted because substantially the same definitions are already in 46 U.S.C. 2101.

The text of 46 App. U.S.C. 444 is omitted because section 10101(3) of title 46, which defines “seaman” for purposes of part G of subtitle II of title 46, already contains an exception for scientific personnel. Title 53 of the Revised Statutes, referred to [in] 46 App. U.S.C. 444, was previously codified principally in part G of subtitle II of title 46.