While assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty, any motorboat or yacht shall be deemed to be a public vessel of the United States and a vessel of the Coast Guard within the meaning of sections 646 and 647 of this title and other applicable provisions of law.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 555; Pub. L. 104–324, title IV, §406, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3924.)

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §266 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §7, 55 Stat. 10).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**1996**—Pub. L. 104–324 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Any motorboat or yacht, while assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty shall be deemed to be a public vessel of the United States, and within the meaning of section 646 of this title shall be deemed to be a vessel of the Coast Guard.”