§ 53901. Definitions

In this chapter:

• (1) The term “American vessel” includes—
  • (A) a documented vessel with a registry or coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 of this title;
  • (B) an undocumented vessel owned or chartered by or made available to the United States Government; and
  • (C) a tug, barge, or other watercraft (whether or not documented) owned by a citizen of the United States and used in essential water transportation or in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.
• (2) The term “cargo” includes a loaded or empty container on a vessel.
• (3) The term “transportation in the waterborne commerce of the United States” includes the operation of a vessel in the fisheries, except only for sport fishing.
• (4) The term “war risks” includes, to the extent the Secretary of Transportation determines—
  • (A) any part of a loss excluded from marine insurance coverage under a “free of capture or seizure” clause or analogous clause; and
  • (B) any other loss from a hostile act, including confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, or deprivation.