CHAPTER 311 —SUITS INVOLVING PUBLIC VESSELS
§31101. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the "Public Vessels Act".
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31101 | 46 App.:781 note. |
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
Act of March 3, 1925, ch. 428,
§31102. Waiver of immunity
(a)
(1) damages caused by a public vessel of the United States; or
(2) compensation for towage and salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a public vessel of the United States.
(b)
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31102(a) | 46 App.:781. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §1, |
| 31102(b) | 46 App.:783 (words before proviso). | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §3 (words before proviso), |
In this section, the words "civil action" are substituted for "libel" because of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).
In subsection (a), the words "Provided, That the cause of action arose after the 6th day of April, 1920" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b), the words "in rem or in personam" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "file a counterclaim in personam, or claim a setoff" are substituted for "file a cross libel in personam or claim a set-off or counterclaim" to conform to the terminolgy in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "for damages arising out of the same subject matter" are substituted for "in such suit for and on account of any damages arising out of the same subject matter or cause of action" to eliminate unnecessary words.
§31103. Applicable procedure
A civil action under this chapter is subject to the provisions of
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31103 | 46 App.:782 (last sentence words before last comma). | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §2 (last sentence words before last comma), |
§31104. Venue
(a)
(b)
(1) the action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for any district in which any plaintiff resides or has an office for the transaction of business; or
(2) if no plaintiff resides or has an office for the transaction of business in the United States, the action may be brought in the district court of the United States for any district.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31104 | 46 App.:782 (1st sentence). | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §2 (1st sentence), |
In subsection (a), the words "charged with creating the liability" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b)(2), the words "in the United States" are omitted as unnecessary.
§31105. Security when counterclaim filed
If a counterclaim is filed for a cause of action for which the original action is filed under this chapter, the respondent to the counterclaim shall give security in the usual amount and form to respond to the counterclaim, unless the court for cause shown orders otherwise. The proceedings in the original action shall be stayed until the security is given.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31105 | 46 App.:783 (proviso). | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §3 (proviso), |
The word "counterclaim" is substituted for "cross-libel", and the words "original action" are substituted for "original libel", to conform to the terminolgy in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).
§31106. Exoneration and limitation
The United States is entitled to the exemptions from and limitations of liability provided by law to an owner, charterer, operator, or agent of a vessel.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31106 | 46 App.:789. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §9, |
§31107. Interest
A judgment in a civil action under this chapter may not include interest for the period before the judgment is issued unless the claim is based on a contract providing for interest.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31107 | 46 App.:782 (last sentence words after last comma). | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §2 (last sentence words after last comma), |
§31108. Arbitration, compromise, or settlement
The Attorney General may arbitrate, compromise, or settle a claim under this chapter if a civil action based on the claim has been commenced.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31108 | 46 App.:786. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §6, |
The words "claim under this chapter" are substituted for "claim on which a libel or cross libel would lie under the provisions of this chapter" to eliminate unnecessary words.
§31109. Payment of judgment or settlement
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. Payment shall be made from any money in the Treasury appropriated for the purpose.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31109 | 46 App.:787. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §7, |
Reference to an arbitration award is added for consistency with sections 30912 and 31108 of the revised title.
§31110. Subpoenas to officers or members of crew
An officer or member of the crew of a public vessel may not be subpoenaed in a civil action under this chapter without the consent of—
(1) the Secretary of the department or the head of the independent establishment having control of the vessel at the time the cause of action arose; or
(2) the master or commanding officer of the vessel at the time the subpoena is issued.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31110 | 46 App.:784. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §4, |
§31111. Claims by nationals of foreign countries
A national of a foreign country may not maintain a civil action under this chapter unless it appears to the satisfaction of the court in which the action is brought that the government of that country, in similar circumstances, allows nationals of the United States to sue in its courts.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31111 | 46 App.:785. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §5, |
§31112. Lien not recognized or created
This chapter shall not be construed as recognizing the existence of or as creating a lien against a public vessel of the United States.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31112 | 46 App.:788. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §8, |
§31113. Reports
The Attorney General shall report to Congress at each session thereof all claims settled under this chapter.
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| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 31113 | 46 App.:790. | Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, §10, |