§ 8891. Scope of chapter

• (a) This chapter applies to any suit against the United States under chapter 311 of title 46 for—
  • (1) damage caused by a vessel in the naval service; or
  • (2) compensation for towage or salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a vessel in the naval service.
• (b) In this chapter, the term “vessel in the naval service” means—
  • (1) any vessel of the Navy, manned by the Navy, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Navy; or
  • (2) when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy, any vessel of the Coast Guard, manned by the Coast Guard, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Coast Guard.