---
type: "LegalText"
title: "46 U.S.C. § 8901"
description: "Freight vessels"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
chapter_number: "89"
chapter_name: "SMALL VESSEL MANNING"
section: "8901"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8901"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s8901"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
source_hash: "ffc9ea73ab884efb8c5f806dc33dbe6bb4991912125484101ff42b0b10979e5e"
raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
text_hash: "9d1e3e40a3090960c10f79e0aa007efc2498ec1ec34a9a9dbf580cecedb5152a"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 46 U.S.C. § 8901 - Freight vessels

## Text

A freight vessel of less than 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title shall be operated by an individual licensed by the Secretary to operate that type of vessel in the particular geographic area, under prescribed regulations.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 555; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 733, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3941.)

## Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 890146:390b Section 8901 requires that a freight vessel of less than 100 gross tons be operated by a licensed individual for that type vessel and for a particular geographic area.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1996—Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons”.