46 U.S.C. § 12131
Section 12131 · Command of documented vessels
Amended 2 times on record
(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen of the United States.
(b) Exceptions.—Subsection (a) does not apply to—
(1) a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or
(2) an unmanned barge operating outside of the territorial waters of the United States.
Editorial notes U.S. Code · Office of the Law Revision Counsel
SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 12131 46:12110(d). Amendments 2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “command” for “commmand”.