---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8902"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "8902"
heading: "Small passenger vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/8902"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 89 — Small Vessel Manning"
---

# §8902. Small passenger vessels


A [small passenger vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=49) shall be operated by an individual licensed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to operate that type of vessel in the particular geographic area, under prescribed regulations.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 555.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 8902 | 46:390b |

Section 8902 requires that a small passenger vessel of less than 100 gross tons be operated by a licensed individual for that type vessel and for a particular geographic area.