II 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 3198 

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of 

submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 25, 2008 

Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. SMITH, Ms. CANTWELL, and Ms. SNOWE) 

introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

A BILL 

To amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to 

the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels 

without nationality. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE OR SEMI-SUB4 MERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY. 

5 (a) FINDING AND DECLARATION.—Section 70501 of 

6 title 46, United States Code, is amended— 

7 (1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘that’’; and 

8 (2) by striking ‘‘States.’’ and inserting ‘‘States 

9 and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible or 


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1 semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on 

2 an international voyage is a serious international 

3 problem, facilitates transnational crime, including 

4 drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a spe5 cific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and 

6 the security of the United States.’’. 

7 (b) SUBMERSIBLE OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL

8 DEFINED.—Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, 

9 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 

10 ‘‘(f) SUBMERSIBLE OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VES11 SEL.—The term ‘‘submersible or semi-submersible vessel’’ 

12 means— 

13 ‘‘(1) a vessel that is capable of operating below 

14 the surface of the water, including both manned and 

15 unmanned watercraft; or 

16 ‘‘(2) a watercraft constructed or adapted to be 

17 capable of putting much of its bulk under the sur18 face of the water.’’. 

19 (c) OPERATION PROHIBITED.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 70503(a) of title 46, 

21 United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

22 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual may not knowingly 

23 or intentionally— 


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1 ‘‘(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with 

2 intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled sub3 stance on board— 

4 ‘‘(A) a vessel of the United States or a ves5 sel subject to the jurisdiction of the United 

6 States; or 

7 ‘‘(B) any vessel if the individual is a cit8 izen of the United States or a resident alien of 

9 the United States; or 

10 ‘‘(2) operate by any means or embark in any 

11 submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is with12 out nationality and that is navigating or has navi13 gated into, through or from waters beyond the outer 

14 limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a 

15 lateral limit of that country’s territorial sea with an 

16 adjacent country.’’. 

17 (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

18 (A) The heading for section 70503 of title 

19 46, United States Code, is amended to read as 

20 follows: 

21 ‘‘§ 70503. Offenses’’. 

22 (B) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 

23 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 


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1 striking the item relating to section 70503 and 

2 inserting the following: 

‘‘70503. Offenses’’. 

Æ 


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