Liability to passengers — Us Code Code § 30102

Us Code Code § 30102 — Liability to passengers. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 30102. Liability to passengers

(a) Liability.—The owner and master of a vessel, and the vessel, are liable for personal injury to a passenger or damage to a passenger's baggage caused by—

(1) a neglect or failure to comply with part B or F of subtitle II of this title; or

(2) a known defect in the steaming apparatus or hull of the vessel.


(b) Not Subject to Limitation.—A liability imposed under this section is not subject to limitation under chapter 305 of this title.

(Pub. L. 109–304, §6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1509.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30102 46 App.:491 (words before semicolon). R.S. §4493 (words before semicolon).

In subsection (a), before paragraph (1), the words "or either of them" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "are liable for personal injury to a passenger or damage to a passenger's baggage" are substituted for "Whenever damage is sustained by any passenger or his baggage" and "shall be liable to each and every person so injured" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "from explosion, fire, collision, or other cause" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "caused by" are substituted for "if it happens through" to eliminate unnecessary words. In paragraph (1), the words "part B or F of subtitle II of this title" are substituted for "title 52 of the Revised Statutes" because of the prior codification of subtitle II of title 46. In paragraph (2), the word "imperfections" is omitted as included in "defect".

Subsection (b) is substituted for "to the full amount of damage" for clarity. See Hines v. Butler, 278 F. 877, 880, 881 (4th Cir. 1921), cert. denied, 257 U.S. 659 (1922); The Annie Faxon, 75 F. 312, 317–319 (9th Cir. 1896).

About This Section

46 U.S.C. § 30102 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 46 U.S.C. § 30102. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 30102?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 30102 address?

It addresses "Liability to passengers". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 30102 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Us Code law to your facts requires a licensed Us Code attorney who can review the specifics.