---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8903"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "8903"
heading: "Self-propelled, uninspected passenger vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/8903"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 89 — Small Vessel Manning"
---

# §8903. Self-propelled, uninspected passenger vessels


A self-propelled, [uninspected passenger vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=55) shall be operated by an individual licensed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to operate that type of vessel, under prescribed regulations.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 555; Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(14)(B), (C), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 446.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 8903 | 46:1461(e), (f) |

Section 8903 requires that an uninspected passenger vessel be operated by a licensed individual for that type of vessel.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–307 substituted “Self-propelled, uninspected” for “Uninspected” in section catchline and “A self-propelled,” for “An” in text.