U.S. Code > Title 46 Shipping > Subtitle III—Maritime Liability (§§ 30101—31343) > CHAPTER 311—SUITS INVOLVING PUBLIC VESSELS (§§ 31101—31113) > § 31102. Waiver of immunity

§ 31102. Waiver of immunity

(a) In General.— A civil action in personam in admiralty may be brought, or an impleader filed, against the United States for—
(1) damages caused by a public vessel of the United States; or
(2) compensation for towage and salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a public vessel of the United States.
(b) Counterclaim or Setoff.— If the United States brings a civil action in admiralty for damages caused by a privately owned vessel, the owner of the vessel, or the successor in interest, may file a counterclaim in personam, or claim a setoff, against the United States for damages arising out of the same subject matter.