46 USC § 30502 - Application

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s30502"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 30502 - Application"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "30502"
section_name: "Application"
chapter_number: 305
chapter_name: "EXONERATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
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, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1512; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXV, § 11503(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4130.)"
---


# § 30502. Application

**(a)** **In General.—** Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except section 30521) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.

**(b)** **Exception.—** This chapter (except for section 30526) shall not apply to covered small passenger vessels.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1512; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXV, § 11503(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4130.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30502 | 46 App.:188. | R.S. § 4289; Feb. 18, 1875, ch. 80, § 1 (related to R.S. § 4289), 18 Stat. 320; June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 4, 24 Stat. 80; June 5, 1936, ch. 521, § 4, 49 Stat. 1481. |

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022— amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Except as otherwise provided, this chapter (except section 30503) applies to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters.”