America's Cup Act of 2011
PL 112-61 (H.R.3321), enacted 11/29/2011

125 STAT. 753 
PUBLIC LAW 112–61—NOV. 29, 2011 
Public Law 112–61 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th America’s Cup by author-
izing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘America’s Cup Act of 2011’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) 34TH AMERICA’S CUP.—The term ‘‘34th America’s Cup’’— 
(A) means the sailing competitions, commencing in 
2011, to be held in the United States in response to the 
challenge to the defending team from the United States, 
in accordance with the terms of the America’s Cup gov-
erning Deed of Gift, dated October 24, 1887; and 
(B) if a United States yacht club successfully defends 
the America’s Cup, includes additional sailing competitions 
conducted by America’s Cup Race Management during the 
1-year period beginning on the last date of such defense. 
(2) AMERICA’S CUP RACE MANAGEMENT.—The term ‘‘Amer-
ica’s Cup Race Management’’ means the entity established to 
provide for independent, professional, and neutral race manage-
ment of the America’s Cup sailing competitions. 
(3) ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION.—The term ‘‘Eligibility Cer-
tification’’ means a certification issued under section 4. 
(4) ELIGIBLE
VESSEL.—The term ‘‘eligible vessel’’ means 
a competing vessel or supporting vessel of any registry that— 
(A) is recognized by America’s Cup Race Management 
as an official competing vessel, or supporting vessel of, 
the 34th America’s Cup, as evidenced in writing to the 
Administrator of the Maritime Administration of the 
Department of Transportation; 
(B) transports not more than 25 individuals, in addition 
to the crew; 
(C) is not a ferry (as defined under section 2101(10b) 
of title 46, United States Code); 
(D) does not transport individuals in point-to-point 
service for hire; and 
(E) does not transport merchandise between ports in 
the United States. 
America’s Cup 
Act of 2011. 
Nov. 29, 2011 
[H.R. 3321] 
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125 STAT. 754 
PUBLIC LAW 112–61—NOV. 29, 2011 
(5) SUPPORTING
VESSEL.—The term ‘‘supporting vessel’’ 
means a vessel that is operating in support of the 34th Amer-
ica’s Cup by— 
(A) positioning a competing vessel on the race course; 
(B) transporting equipment and supplies utilized for 
the staging, operations, or broadcast of the competition; 
or 
(C) transporting individuals who— 
(i) have not purchased tickets or directly paid for 
their passage; and 
(ii) who are engaged in the staging, operations, 
or broadcast of the competition, race team personnel, 
members of the media, or event sponsors. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF ELIGIBLE VESSELS. 
Notwithstanding sections 55102, 55103, and 55111 of title 46, 
United States Code, an eligible vessel, operating only in preparation 
for, or in connection with, the 34th America’s Cup competition, 
may position competing vessels and may transport individuals and 
equipment and supplies utilized for the staging, operations, or 
broadcast of the competition from and around the ports in the 
United States. 
SEC. 4. CERTIFICATION. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—A vessel may not operate under section 
3 unless the vessel has received an Eligibility Certification. 
(b) ISSUANCE.—The Administrator of the Maritime Administra-
tion of the Department of Transportation is authorized to issue 
an Eligibility Certification with respect to any vessel that the 
Administrator determines, in his or her sole discretion, meets the 
requirements set forth in section 2(4). 
SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT. 
Notwithstanding sections 55102, 55103, and 55111 of title 46, 
United States Code, an Eligibility Certification shall be conclusive 
evidence to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security 
of the qualification of the vessel for which it has been issued 
to participate in the 34th America’s Cup as a competing vessel 
or a supporting vessel. 
SEC. 6. PENALTY. 
Any vessel participating in the 34th America’s Cup as a com-
peting vessel or supporting vessel that has not received an Eligi-
bility Certification or is not in compliance with section 12112 of 
title 46, United States Code, shall be subject to the applicable 
penalties provided in chapters 121 and 551 of title 46, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 7. WAIVERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 12132 
and chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may 
issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement 
for each of the following vessels: 
(1) M/V GEYSIR (United States official number 622178). 
(2) OCEAN VERITAS (IMO number 7366805). 
(3) LUNA (United States official number 280133). 
(b) DOCUMENTATION OF LNG TANKERS.— 
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125 STAT. 755 
PUBLIC LAW 112–61—NOV. 29, 2011 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3321 (S. 1759): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 157 (2011): 
Nov. 4, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 17, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Nov. 18, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sections 12112 and 
12132 and chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, the 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating may issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise 
endorsement for each of the following vessels: 
(A) LNG GEMINI (United States official number 
595752). 
(B) LNG LEO (United States official number 595753). 
(C) LNG VIRGO (United States official number 
595755). 
(2) LIMITATION ON OPERATION.—Coastwise trade authorized 
under paragraph (1) shall be limited to carriage of natural 
gas, as that term is defined in section 3(13) of the Deepwater 
Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1502(13)). 
(3) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENDORSEMENTS.— 
The coastwise endorsement issued under paragraph (1) for 
a vessel shall expire on the date of the sale of the vessel 
by the owner of the vessel on the date of enactment of this 
Act to a person who is not related by ownership or control 
to such owner. 
(c) OPERATION OF A DRY DOCK.—A vessel transported in Dry 
Dock #2 (State of Alaska registration AIDEA FDD–2) is not mer-
chandise for purposes of section 55102 of title 46, United States 
Code, if, during such transportation, Dry Dock #2 remains connected 
by a utility or other connecting line to pierside moorage. 
Approved November 29, 2011. 
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