Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/1552

 PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006

120 STAT. 1521

from which the compensation for which the judgment was recovered was or will be paid. ‘‘§ 30918. Reports ‘‘The Secretary of each department of the United States Government, and the board of trustees of each federally-owned corporation, shall report to Congress at each session thereof all arbitration awards and settlements agreed to under this chapter since the previous session, for which the time to appeal has expired or been waived. ‘‘CHAPTER 311—SUITS INVOLVING PUBLIC VESSELS ‘‘Sec. ‘‘31101. ‘‘31102. ‘‘31103. ‘‘31104. ‘‘31105. ‘‘31106. ‘‘31107. ‘‘31108. ‘‘31109. ‘‘31110. ‘‘31111. ‘‘31112. ‘‘31113.

Short title. Waiver of immunity. Applicable procedure. Venue. Security when counterclaim filed. Exoneration and limitation. Interest. Arbitration, compromise, or settlement. Payment of judgment or settlement. Subpoenas to officers or members of crew. Claims by nationals of foreign countries. Lien not recognized or created. Reports.

‘‘§ 31101. Short title ‘‘This chapter may be cited as the ‘Public Vessels Act’. ‘‘§ 31102. Waiver of immunity ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A civil action in personam in admiralty may be brought, or an impleader filed, against the United States for— ‘‘(1) damages caused by a public vessel of the United States; or ‘‘(2) compensation for towage and salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a public vessel of the United States. ‘‘(b) COUNTERCLAIM OR SETOFF.—If the United States brings a civil action in admiralty for damages caused by a privately owned vessel, the owner of the vessel, or the successor in interest, may file a counterclaim in personam, or claim a setoff, against the United States for damages arising out of the same subject matter. ‘‘§ 31103. Applicable procedure ‘‘A civil action under this chapter is subject to the provisions of chapter 309 of this title except to the extent inconsistent with this chapter. ‘‘§ 31104. Venue ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A civil action under this chapter shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the district in which the vessel or cargo is found within the United States. ‘‘(b) VESSEL OR CARGO OUTSIDE TERRITORIAL WATERS.—If the vessel or cargo is outside the territorial waters of the United States— ‘‘(1) the action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for any district in which any plaintiff resides or has an office for the transaction of business; or

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