# § 3701. Definitions
In this chapter—
**(1)** “existing”, when referring to a type of vessel to which this chapter applies, means a vessel that is not a new vessel.
**(2)** “new”, when referring to a type of vessel to which this chapter applies, means a vessel—
**(A)** for which the building contract is placed after June 1, 1979;
**(B)** in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, after January 1, 1980;
**(C)** the delivery of which is after June 1, 1982; or
**(D)** that has undergone a major conversion under a contract made after June 1, 1979, or construction work that began after January 1, 1980, or was completed after June 1, 1982.
**(3)** “person” means an individual (even if not a citizen or national of the United States), a corporation, partnership, association, or other entity (even if not organized or existing under the laws of a State), the United States Government, a State or local government, a government of a foreign country, or an entity of one of those governments.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 521; Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5102(b)(5), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1927; Pub. L. 100–424, § 8(c)(2), Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1593; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3541(a)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2323.)
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| --- | --- |
| 3701(1) | 46:391a(2)(R) |
| 3701(2) | 46:391a(2)(P) |
| 3701(3) | 46:391a(2)(Q) |
| 3701(4) | 46:391a(2)(F) |
| 3701(5) | 46:391a(2)(J) |
| 3701(6) | 46:391a(2)(K) |
Section 3701 contains definitions that are of a special nature with limited applicability to this chapter.
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
2018—Pars. (2) to (4). redesignated pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), respectively.
1988—Par. (2). struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “ ‘major conversion’ means a conversion of an existing vessel that substantially changes the dimensions or carrying capacity of the vessel or changes the type of vessel or substantially prolongs its life or that otherwise so changes the vessel that it is essentially a new vessel, as decided by the Secretary.”
1986—Pars. (5), (6). struck out par. (5) defining “State” as including Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in addition to its meaning under , and struck out par. (6) defining “United States” as including the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in addition to its meaning under .
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Effective Date
Chapter effective , see , set out as a note under .