Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle3/chapter309&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2019-12-12 18:47:22
Document Index: 774968904

Matched Legal Cases: ['§30901', '§741', '§6', '§30902', '§1', '§30903', '§6', '§2', '§3', '§1105', '§30904', '§5', '§30905', '§5', '§30906', '§2', '§30907', '§3', '§30908', '§1', '§2', '§3', '§30909', '§6', '§3', '§12', '§30910', '§6', '§30911', '§3', '§5', '§30912', '§9', '§3', '§12', '§30913', '§8', '§30914', '§4', '§30915', '§7', '§12', '§30916', '§6', '§10', '§12', '§30917', '§11', '§12', '§30918', '§12', '§1', '§12']

[USC02] 46 USC Ch. 309: SUITS IN ADMIRALTY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
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46 USC Ch. 309: SUITS IN ADMIRALTY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
CHAPTER 309—SUITS IN ADMIRALTY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
Period for bringing action.
Procedure for hearing and determination.
Exemption from arrest or seizure.
Release of privately owned vessel after arrest or attachment.
Seizures and other proceedings in foreign jurisdictions.
Recovery by the United States for salvage services.
Disposition of amounts recovered by the United States.
§30901. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the "Suits in Admiralty Act".
30901 46 App.:741 note.
Act Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, 41 Stat. 525, which enacted chapter 20 (§741 et seq.) of the former Appendix to this title, was popularly known as the "Suits in Admiralty Act", prior to being repealed and restated in this chapter by Pub. L. 109–304, §§6(c), 19, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1509, 1710.
§30902. Definition
In this chapter, the term "federally-owned corporation" means a corporation in which the United States owns all the outstanding capital stock.
30902 46 App.:741 (11th–26th words). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §1 (11th–26th words), 41 Stat. 525.
The term "federally-owned corporation" is defined in this section and used in this chapter to avoid repeating the substance of the definition in several sections in this chapter. The words "or its representatives" are omitted as unnecessary.
§30903. Waiver of immunity
(a) In General.—In a case in which, if a vessel were privately owned or operated, or if cargo were privately owned or possessed, or if a private person or property were involved, a civil action in admiralty could be maintained, a civil action in admiralty in personam may be brought against the United States or a federally-owned corporation. In a civil action in admiralty brought by the United States or a federally-owned corporation, an admiralty claim in personam may be filed or a setoff claimed against the United States or corporation.
(b) Non-Jury.—A claim against the United States or a federally-owned corporation under this section shall be tried without a jury.
(Pub. L. 109–304, §6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1518.)
30903 46 App.:742 (1st, 3d sentences). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §2 (1st, 3d sentences), 41 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 86–770, §3, Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 912; Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, §1105, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3967.
In subsection (a), the words "civil action" are substituted for "proceeding" and "libel" because of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.) and for consistency in the chapter. The words "civil action in admiralty in personam" are substituted for "any appropriate nonjury proceeding in personam" for clarity. The words "in rem or in personam in any district" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "admiralty claim" are substituted for "cross libel" for consistency in this chapter and with the various means of asserting a claim (such as by counterclaim or cross-claim) allowed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The words "with the same force and effect as if the libel had been filed by a private party" are omitted as unnecessary.
Subsection (b) is substituted for the word "nonjury" to clarify that the nonjury requirement applies to any claim against the United States or a federally-owned corporation under this section regardless of which party brings the action.
§30904. Exclusive remedy
30904 46 App.:745 (1st proviso). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §5 (1st proviso), 41 Stat. 526; June 30, 1932, ch. 315, 47 Stat. 420; Dec. 13, 1950, ch. 1136, 64 Stat. 1112.
The words "officer, employee, or agent of the United States or the federally-owned corporation" are substituted for "agent or employee of the United States or of any incorporated or unincorporated agency thereof" for consistency in this chapter and to eliminate unnecessary words.
§30905. Period for bringing action
A civil action under this chapter must be brought within 2 years after the cause of action arose.
30905 46 App.:745 (words before 1st proviso). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §5 (words before 1st proviso), 41 Stat. 526; June 30, 1932, ch. 315, 47 Stat. 420; Dec. 13, 1950, ch. 1136, 64 Stat. 1112.
§30906. Venue
(a) In General.—A civil action under this chapter shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the district in which—
(1) any plaintiff resides or has its principal place of business; or
(2) the vessel or cargo is found.
(b) Transfer.—On a motion by a party, the court may transfer the action to any other district court of the United States.
30906(a) 46 App.:742 (2d sentence). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §2 (2d, last sentences), 41 Stat. 526.
30906(b) 46 App.:742 (last sentence).
In subsection (a)(1), the words "in the United States" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (a)(2), the words "charged with liability" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b), the words "in the discretion of the court" are omitted as unnecessary. For general change of venue provision, see 28 U.S.C. 1404.
§30907. Procedure for hearing and determination
(a) In General.—A civil action under this chapter shall proceed and be heard and determined according to the principles of law and the rules of practice applicable in like cases between private parties.
(b) In Rem.—
(1) Requirements.—The action may proceed according to the principles of an action in rem if—
(A) the plaintiff elects in the complaint; and
(B) it appears that an action in rem could have been maintained had the vessel or cargo been privately owned and possessed.
(2) Effect on relief in personam.—An election under paragraph (1) does not prevent the plaintiff from seeking relief in personam in the same action.
30907(a) 46 App.:743 (1st, 4th sentences). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §3 (1st, 4th–6th sentences), 41 Stat. 526.
30907(b) 46 App.:743 (5th, 6th sentences).
In subsection (a), the text of 46 App. U.S.C. 743 (4th sentence) is omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b)(1)(A), the words "plaintiff" and "complaint" are substituted for "libelant" and "libel", respectively, for consistency with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).
In subsection (b)(2), the words "in any proper case" are omitted as unnecessary.
§30908. Exemption from arrest or seizure
The following are not subject to arrest or seizure by judicial process in the United States:
(1) A vessel owned by, possessed by, or operated by or for the United States or a federally-owned corporation.
(2) Cargo owned or possessed by the United States or a federally-owned corporation.
30908 46 App.:741 (less 11th–26th words). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §1 (less 11th–26th words), 41 Stat. 525; Sept. 26, 1950, ch. 1049, §2(a)(2), 64 Stat. 1038; Pub. L. 96–70, §3(b)(5), Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 455.
The words "a federally-owned corporation" are substituted for "any corporation in which the United States or its representatives shall own the entire outstanding capital stock" because of the definition of "federally-owned corporation" in section 30902 of the revised title. The words "after March 9, 1920" are omitted as obsolete. The words "in view of the provision herein made for a libel in personam" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "or its possessions" are omitted because of the definition of "United States" in chapter 1 of the revised title. The words "Provided, That this chapter shall not apply to the Panama Canal Commission" are omitted because the Commission has been dissolved. See 22 U.S.C. 3714a.
§30909. Security
Neither the United States nor a federally-owned corporation may be required to give a bond or admiralty stipulation in a civil action under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 109–304, §6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1519.)
30909 46 App.:743 (last sentence). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §3 (last sentence), 41 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(A), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.
The words "civil action" are substituted for "proceeding" for consistency in this chapter and with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).
§30910. Exoneration and limitation
30910 46 App.:746. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §6, 41 Stat. 527.
§30911. Costs and interest
(a) In General.—A judgment against the United States or a federally-owned corporation under this chapter may include costs and interest at the rate of 4 percent per year until satisfied. Interest shall run as ordered by the court, except that interest is not allowable for the period before the action is filed.
(b) Contract Providing for Interest.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), if the claim is based on a contract providing for interest, interest may be awarded at the rate and for the period provided in the contract.
30911 46 App.:743 (2d, 3d sentences). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §3 (2d, 3d sentences), 41 Stat. 526.
46 App.:745 (last proviso). Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §5 (last proviso), 41 Stat. 526; June 30, 1932, ch. 315, 47 Stat. 420; Dec. 13, 1950, ch. 1136, 64 Stat. 1112.
In subsection (a), the words "and when the decree is for a money judgment" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "except that interest is not allowable for the period before the action is filed" are substituted for "And provided further, That after June 30, 1932, no interest shall be allowed on any claim prior to the time when suit on such claim is brought as authorized by section 742 of this Appendix" to eliminate unnecessary words.
Subsection (b) is substituted for "or at any higher rate which shall be stipulated in any contract upon which such decree shall be based" in 46 App. U.S.C. 743 and "unless upon a contract expressly stipulating for the payment of interest" in 46 App. U.S.C. 745 (last proviso) for clarity and consistency.
§30912. Arbitration, compromise, or settlement
The Secretary of a department of the United States Government, or the board of trustees of a federally-owned corporation, may arbitrate, compromise, or settle a claim under this chapter.
30912 46 App.:749. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §9, 41 Stat. 527; Pub. L. 92–417, §3, Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 656; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(C), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.
The words "claim under this chapter" are substituted for "claim in which suit will lie under the provisions of sections 742, 744, and 750 of this Appendix" to eliminate unnecessary words.
§30913. Payment of judgment or settlement
(a) In General.—The proper accounting officer of the United States shall pay a final judgment, arbitration award, or settlement under this chapter on presentation of an authenticated copy.
(b) Source of Payment.—Payment shall be made from an appropriation or fund available specifically for the purpose. If no appropriation or fund is specifically available, there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an amount sufficient to pay the judgment, award, or settlement.
30913 46 App.:748. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §8, 41 Stat. 527.
§30914. Release of privately owned vessel after arrest or attachment
If a privately owned vessel not in the possession of the United States or a federally-owned corporation is arrested or attached in a civil action arising or alleged to have arisen from prior ownership, possession, or operation by the United States or corporation, the vessel shall be released without bond or stipulation on a statement by the United States, through the Attorney General or other authorized law officer, that the United States is interested in the action, desires release of the vessel, and assumes liability for the satisfaction of any judgment obtained by the plaintiff. After the vessel is released, the action shall proceed against the United States in accordance with this chapter.
30914 46 App.:744. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §4, 41 Stat. 526.
The words "on a statement" are substituted for "upon the suggestion" as more appropriate.
§30915. Seizures and other proceedings in foreign jurisdictions
(a) In General.—If a vessel or cargo described in section 30908 or 30914 of this title is arrested, attached, or otherwise seized by judicial process in a foreign country, or if an action is brought in a court of a foreign country against the master of such a vessel for a claim arising from the ownership, possession, or operation of the vessel, or the ownership, possession, or carriage of such cargo, the Secretary of State, on request of the Attorney General or another officer authorized by the Attorney General, may direct the United States consul residing at or nearest the place at which the action was brought—
(b) Arranging Bond or Stipulation.—The Attorney General may—
(c) Payment of Judgment.—The appropriate accounting officer of the United States or corporation may pay a judgment in an action described in subsection (a) on presentation of a copy of the judgment if certified by the clerk of the court and authenticated by—
(1) the certificate and seal of the United States consul claiming the vessel or cargo, or by the consul's successor; and
(d) Right To Claim Immunity Not Affected.—This section does not affect the right of the United States to claim immunity of a vessel or cargo from foreign jurisdiction.
30915 46 App.:747. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §7, 41 Stat. 527; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(B), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.
In this section, references to the Maritime Administration are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (a), before paragraph (1), the words "or in connection with", "of the United States in his discretion", and "duly" are omitted as unnecessary. In paragraph (1), the words "as by said court required" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b)(1), the words "firm, or corporation" are omitted as included in "person" as defined in 1 U.S.C. 1.
Subsection (b)(2) is substituted for "to pledge the credit of the United States to the indemnification of such surety or stipulator as may be required to secure the execution of such bond or stipulation" to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (c), the words "may pay" are substituted for "presentation . . . shall be sufficient evidence . . . for the allowance and payment" to eliminate unnecessary words.
§30916. Recovery by the United States for salvage services
(a) Civil Action.—The United States, and the crew of a merchant vessel owned or operated by the United States, or a federally-owned corporation, may bring a civil action to recover for salvage services provided by the vessel and crew.
(b) Deposit of Amounts Recovered.—Any amount recovered under this section by the United States for its own benefit, and not for the benefit of the crew, shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the department of the United States Government, or the corporation, having control of the possession or operation of the vessel.
(Pub. L. 109–304, §6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1520.)
30916 46 App.:750. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §10, 41 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(D), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.
In subsection (a), the words "may bring a civil action to recover" are substituted for "shall have the right to collect and sue" for consistency in this chapter and to eliminate unnecessary words.
§30917. Disposition of amounts recovered by the United States
30917 46 App.:751. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §11, 41 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(D), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.
The words "or in connection with" and "with respect to which such cause of action arises" are omitted as unnecessary.
§30918. Reports
The Secretary of each department of the United States Government, and the board of trustees of each federally-owned corporation, shall report to Congress at each session thereof all arbitration awards and settlements agreed to under this chapter since the previous session, for which the time to appeal has expired or been waived.
30918 46 App.:752. Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, §12, 41 Stat. 528; Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1076, §1(26), 68 Stat. 968; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(25)(E), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 155.