# 46 U.S.C. § 12131: Command of documented vessels

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12131

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 U.S.C. § 12131
- **Heading:** Command of documented vessels
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** March 26, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 46—SHIPPING > Subtitle II—Vessels and Seamen > Part H—Identification of Vessels > CHAPTER 121—DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS > SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS

## Text

Except as provided in subsection (b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1408 )) of the United States.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 5 , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1505 ; Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(a)(3) , Jan. 28, 2008 , 122 Stat. 603 ; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(C) , Dec. 18, 2025 , 139 Stat. 1752 .)

## Nearby sections

- [46 U.S.C. § 12101 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12101.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12102 Vessels requiring documentation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12102.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12103 General eligibility requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12103.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12104 Applications for documentation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12104.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12105 Issuance of documentation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12105.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12106 Surrender of title and number](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12106.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12107 Wrecked vessels](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12107.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12108 Authority to extend duration of vessel certificates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12108.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12111 Registry endorsement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12111.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12112 Coastwise endorsement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12112.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12113 Fishery endorsement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12113.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12114 Recreational endorsement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12114.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12115 Temporary endorsement for vessels procured outside the United States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12115.md)
- [46 U.S.C. § 12116 Limited endorsements for Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12116.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t46_s12131. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.