1998 Year of the Ocean The U.S. Marine Transportation System 



Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act . 33 U.S.C. §§ 901 et seq. 



The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act provides a comprehensive worker's 

 compensation scheme for certain maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen. 



Public Vessel Act , as amended, (PVA), 46 U.S.C. §§ 781-790 



The PVA provides authority for bringing an admiralty cause of action against the United States for 

 damages caused by U.S. public vessels. Thus, the PVA waives sovereign immunity by the U.S. in 

 cases involving public vessels. Public vessel is not defined in the PVA, but case law provides 

 direction. The PVA contains provisions for the venue of suits brought thereunder, counterclaims, 

 suits by nationals of foreign governments, and exemptions and limitations of liability. The PVA 

 also expressly provides it shall not be construed to recognize the existence of or as creating a lien 

 against any U.S. public vessel. 



Suits in Admiralty Act, as amended (SAA), 46 U.S.C. §§ 741-752 



The SAA provides the authority to bring admiralty suits against the United States. Such suits may 

 be brought in personam, and no U.S. vessel or cargo may be seized under the SAA. If a suit is 

 brought under the SAA, it is the exclusive remedy available to a claimant. The SAA provides a 

 statute of limitations (2 years) after the cause of action arises. The United States is entitled to all 

 exemptions and all limitations of liability accorded by law to owners, charterers, operators or agents 

 of vessels. The SAA also provides procedures in the event a vessel within the scope of the SAA is 

 seized by foreign jurisdictions. The SAA authorizes arbitration, compromise, or settlement of 

 claims. The SAA also provides that a crew of a U.S. vessel may recover compensation for salvage 

 services. Finally, any money recovered by a suit brought by the United States shall be deposited in 

 the U.S. Treasury to the credit of the department having control of the vessel or cargo with respect 

 to such cause of action. 



Title 46, U.S.C, SUBTITLE III— Maritime Liability 



Subtitle 111 (chapters 301 and 313) of title 46 contains provisions related to commercial instruments 

 and liens and public vessels and goods. Chapter 301 provides general terms and definitions. 

 Chapter 313 governs commercial instruments (subchapter II) and marifime liens (subchapter III). 



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