46 U.S.C. § 3202

1. (a)This chapter applies to a vessel that—
   1. (1)
      1. (A)is transporting more than 12 passengers described in section 2101(31)(A) of this title; or
      2. (B)is of at least 500 gross tons as measured under section 14302 of this title and is a tanker, freight vessel, bulk freight vessel, high speed freight vessel, or self-propelled mobile offshore drilling unit; and
   2. (2)
      1. (A)is engaged on a foreign voyage; or
      2. (B)is a foreign vessel departing from a place under the jurisdiction of the United States on a voyage, any part of which is on the high seas.
2. (b)
   1. (1)This chapter applies to a vessel that is—
      1. (A)a passenger vessel or small passenger vessel; and
      2. (B)is transporting more passengers than a number prescribed by the Secretary based on the number of individuals on the vessel that could be killed or injured in a marine casualty.
   2. (2)Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, including paragraph (1)(B), any regulations under section 3203, including the safety management system established by such regulations, issued on or after the date of enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, shall apply to all covered small passenger vessels, as defined in section 3306(n)(5).
3. (c)This chapter applies to a vessel not described in subsection (a) of this section if the owner of the vessel requests the Secretary to apply this chapter to the vessel.
4. (d)Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, this chapter does not apply to—
   1. (1)a barge;
   2. (2)a recreational vessel not engaged in commercial service;
   3. (3)a fishing vessel;
   4. (4)a vessel operating on the Great Lakes or its tributary and connecting waters that is not described in subsection (b) of this section; or
   5. (5)a public vessel.