Exoneration and limitation of liability for small passengers vessels

(a)

Restructuring

Chapter 305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—(1)by inserting the following before section 30501:

General provisions

;

(2)by inserting the following before section 30503:

Exoneration and limitation of liability generally

;

and

(3)by redesignating sections 30503 through 30512 as sections 30521 through 30530, respectively.(b)

Definitions

Section 30501 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

30501.

Definitions

In this chapter—(1)the term owner includes a charterer that mans, supplies, and navigates a vessel at the charterer's own expense or by the charterer's own procurement; and(2) the term covered small passenger vessel—(A)means a small passenger vessel, as defined in section 2101 of this title, that—(i)is less than 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title; and(ii)is carrying—(I)for overnight domestic voyages, not more 49 passengers; and(II)for all other voyages, not more than 150 passengers; and(B)includes any wooden vessel constructed prior to March 11, 1996, that carries passengers on overnight domestic voyages.

(c)

Applicability

(1)

In general

Section 30502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

30502.

Application

(a)

In general

Except as otherwise provided and subject to subsection (b)—(1)subchapter II (except section 30521) of this title shall apply to seagoing vessels and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters that are not covered small passenger vessels; and(2)subchapter III of this title shall apply to seagoing vessels, and vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters, that are covered small passenger vessels. (b)

Declaration of nature and value of goods

Section 30521 of this title shall not apply to vessels described in subsection (a) of this section.

(d)

Rules for small passenger vessels

Chapter 305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

III

Exoneration and limitation of liability for covered small passenger vessels

30541.

Exoneration and limitation of liability provisions

(a)

In general

By not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act of 2021, the Commandant shall promulgate rules relating to exoneration and limitation of liability for all covered small passenger vessels that—(1)provide just compensation in any claim for which the owner or operator of a covered small passenger vessel is found liable; and(2)comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.(b)

Requirements

(1)

Privity or knowledge

In a claim for personal injury or death to which this subchapter applies, the privity or knowledge of the master or the owner's superintendent or managing agent, at or before the beginning of each voyage, is imputed to the owner.(2)

Apportionment of losses

The requirements of section 30525 of this title shall apply to a covered small passenger vessel in the same manner as such section applies to a vessel described in section 30502(a)(1).(3)

Timing considerations

The requirements of subsections (b) through (d) of section 30526 of this title shall apply to a covered small passenger vessel in the same manner as the requirements apply to a vessel subject to such section.(c)

Applicability

The rules promulgated under subsection (a) shall take effect as if promulgated on the effective date of the Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act of 2021.

(e)

Tables of subchapters and tables of sections

The table of sections for chapter 305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—(1)by inserting before section 30501 the following:

SUBCHAPTER I—General provisions

;

(2)by inserting after section 30502 the following:

SUBCHAPTER II—Exoneration and limitation of liability

;

(3)by redesignating the items relating to sections 30503 through 30512 as items relating to sections 30521 through 30530, respectively; and(4)by adding at the end the following:

SUBCHAPTER III—Exoneration and limitation of liability for covered small passenger vessels

Sec. 30541. Exoneration and limitation of liability provisions.

(f)

Conforming amendments

Title 46, United States Code, is further amended—(1)in section 14305(a)(5), by striking section 30506 and inserting section 30524;(2)in section 30523(a), as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, by striking section 30506 and inserting section 30524; (3)in section 30524(b), as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, by striking section 30505 and inserting section 30523; and(4)in section 30525—(A)by striking section 30505 and section 30523; (B)by striking section 30506 and inserting section 30524; and(C)by striking section 30506(b) and inserting section 30524(b).