46 U.S.C. § 30501

1. (1)The term “covered small passenger vessel”—
   1. (A)means a small passenger vessel, as defined in section 2101, that is—
      1. (i)not a wing-in-ground craft; and
      2. (ii)carrying—
         1. (I)not more than 49 passengers on an overnight domestic voyage; and
         2. (II)not more than 150 passengers on any voyage that is not an overnight domestic voyage; and
   2. (B)includes any wooden vessel constructed prior to March 11, 1996, carrying at least 1 passenger for hire.
2. (2)The term “owner” includes a charterer that mans, supplies, and navigates a vessel at the charterer’s own expense or by the charterer’s own procurement.