PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006
120 STAT. 1513
engravings, pictures, stamps, maps, papers, silks, furs, lace, and similar items of high value and small size. ‘‘§ 30504. Loss by fire ‘‘The owner of a vessel is not liable for loss or damage to merchandise on the vessel caused by a fire on the vessel unless the fire resulted from the design or neglect of the owner. ‘‘§ 30505. General limit of liability ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in section 30506 of this title, the liability of the owner of a vessel for any claim, debt, or liability described in subsection (b) shall not exceed the value of the vessel and pending freight. If the vessel has more than one owner, the proportionate share of the liability of any one owner shall not exceed that owner’s proportionate interest in the vessel and pending freight. ‘‘(b) CLAIMS SUBJECT TO LIMITATION.—Unless otherwise excluded by law, claims, debts, and liabilities subject to limitation under subsection (a) are those arising from any embezzlement, loss, or destruction of any property, goods, or merchandise shipped or put on board the vessel, any loss, damage, or injury by collision, or any act, matter, or thing, loss, damage, or forfeiture, done, occasioned, or incurred, without the privity or knowledge of the owner. ‘‘(c) WAGES.—Subsection (a) does not apply to a claim for wages. ‘‘§ 30506. Limit of liability for personal injury or death ‘‘(a) APPLICATION.—This section applies only to seagoing vessels, but does not apply to pleasure yachts, tugs, towboats, towing vessels, tank vessels, fishing vessels, fish tender vessels, canal boats, scows, car floats, barges, lighters, or nondescript vessels. ‘‘(b) MINIMUM LIABILITY.—If the amount of the vessel owner’s liability determined under section 30505 of this title is insufficient to pay all losses in full, and the portion available to pay claims for personal injury or death is less than $420 times the tonnage of the vessel, that portion shall be increased to $420 times the tonnage of the vessel. That portion may be used only to pay claims for personal injury or death. ‘‘(c) CALCULATION OF TONNAGE.—Under subsection (b), the tonnage of a self-propelled vessel is the gross tonnage without deduction for engine room, and the tonnage of a sailing vessel is the tonnage for documentation. However, space for the use of seamen is excluded. ‘‘(d) CLAIMS ARISING ON DISTINCT OCCASIONS.—Separate limits of liability apply to claims for personal injury or death arising on distinct occasions. ‘‘(e) PRIVITY OR KNOWLEDGE.—In a claim for personal injury or death, the privity or knowledge of the master or the owner’s superintendent or managing agent, at or before the beginning of each voyage, is imputed to the owner. ‘‘§ 30507. Apportionment of losses ‘‘If the amounts determined under sections 30505 and 30506 of this title are insufficient to pay all claims— ‘‘(1) all claimants shall be paid in proportion to their respective losses out of the amount determined under section 30505 of this title; and
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