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46 U.S.C. 31104: VenueText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 311-SUITS INVOLVING PUBLIC VESSELS
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§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

(2)  if no plaintiff resides or has an office for the transaction of business in the United States, the action may be brought in the district court of the United States for any district.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c) , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1521 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

31104

46 App.:782 (1st sentence).

Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 428, § 2 (1st sentence), 43 Stat. 1112.

In subsection (a), the words “charged with creating the liability” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(2), the words “in the United States” are omitted as unnecessary.