46 USC § 12131 - Command of documented vessels

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s12131"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 12131 - Command of documented vessels"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "12131"
section_name: "Command of documented vessels"
chapter_number: 121
chapter_name: "DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "MISCELLANEOUS"
part_number: "H"
part_name: "Identification of Vessels"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1505; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 603; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.)"
---


# § 12131. Command of documented vessels

**(a)** **In General.—** Except as provided in subsection (b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) of the United States.

**(b)** **Exceptions.—** Subsection (a) does not apply to—

**(1)** a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or

**(2)** an unmanned barge operating outside of the territorial waters of the United States.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1505; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 603; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 12131 | 46:12110(d). |  |

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a).  inserted “or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ())” after “citizen”.

2008—Subsec. (a).  substituted “command” for “commmand”.