Passenger Vessel Law and Legal Definition
According to 49 CFR 171.8 [Title 49. Transportation; Subtitle B. Other Regulations Relating To Transportation; Chapter I. Pipeline And Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department Of Transportation; Subchapter C. Hazardous Materials Regulations; Part 171 General Information, Regulations, And Definitions, Subpart A Applicability, General Requirements, And North American Shipments], ‘passenger vessel’ means:
“(1) A vessel subject to any of the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, which carries more than 12 passengers;
(2) A cargo vessel documented under the laws of the United States and not subject to that Convention, which carries more than 16 passengers;
(3) A cargo vessel of any foreign nation that extends reciprocal privileges and is not subject to that Convention and which carries more than 16 passengers; and
(4) A vessel engaged in a ferry operation and which carries passengers.”
