---
type: "LegalText"
title: "46 U.S.C. § 8903"
description: "Self-propelled, uninspected passenger 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: "8903"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8903"
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/s8903"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
source_hash: "111825a76df003391b8e85acd545e5610c731ad8dce2c84fc1a64c89c09c5ba5"
raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
text_hash: "71a61c9d62ad33833698b48a804cccd7cb347fc67699b0aefb3d2ab5d6d242ae"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 46 U.S.C. § 8903 - Self-propelled, uninspected passenger vessels

## Text

A self-propelled, uninspected passenger vessel shall be operated by an individual licensed by the Secretary to operate that type of vessel, under prescribed regulations.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 555; Pub. L. 99–307, § 1(14)(B), (C), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 446.)

## Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 890346:1461(e), (f) Section 8903 requires that an uninspected passenger vessel be operated by a licensed individual for that type of vessel.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1986—Pub. L. 99–307 substituted “Self-propelled, uninspected” for “Uninspected” in section catchline and “A self-propelled,” for “An” in text.