120 STAT. 1520
PUBLIC LAW 109–304—OCT. 6, 2006
or operation of the vessel, or the ownership, possession, or carriage of such cargo, the Secretary of State, on request of the Attorney General or another officer authorized by the Attorney General, may direct the United States consul residing at or nearest the place at which the action was brought— ‘‘(1) to claim the vessel or cargo as immune from arrest, attachment, or other seizure, and to execute an agreement, stipulation, bond, or undertaking, for the United States or federally-owned corporation, for the release of the vessel or cargo and the prosecution of any appeal; or ‘‘(2) if an action has been brought against the master of such a vessel, to enter the appearance of the United States or corporation and to pledge the credit of the United States or corporation to the payment of any judgment and costs in the action. ‘‘(b) ARRANGING BOND OR STIPULATION.—The Attorney General may— ‘‘(1) arrange with a bank, surety company, or other person, whether in the United States or a foreign country, to execute a bond or stipulation; and ‘‘(2) pledge the credit of the United States to secure the bond or stipulation. ‘‘(c) PAYMENT OF JUDGMENT.—The appropriate accounting officer of the United States or corporation may pay a judgment in an action described in subsection (a) on presentation of a copy of the judgment if certified by the clerk of the court and authenticated by— ‘‘(1) the certificate and seal of the United States consul claiming the vessel or cargo, or by the consul’s successor; and ‘‘(2) the certificate of the Secretary as to the official capacity of the consul. ‘‘(d) RIGHT TO CLAIM IMMUNITY NOT AFFECTED.—This section does not affect the right of the United States to claim immunity of a vessel or cargo from foreign jurisdiction. ‘‘§ 30916. Recovery by the United States for salvage services ‘‘(a) CIVIL ACTION.—The United States, and the crew of a merchant vessel owned or operated by the United States, or a federallyowned corporation, may bring a civil action to recover for salvage services provided by the vessel and crew. ‘‘(b) DEPOSIT OF AMOUNTS RECOVERED.—Any amount recovered under this section by the United States for its own benefit, and not for the benefit of the crew, shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the department of the United States Government, or the corporation, having control of the possession or operation of the vessel. ‘‘§ 30917. Disposition of amounts recovered by the United States ‘‘Amounts recovered in a civil action brought by the United States on a claim arising from the ownership, possession, or operation of a merchant vessel, or the ownership, possession, or carriage of cargo, shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the department of the United States Government, or the federallyowned corporation, having control of the vessel or cargo, for reimbursement of the appropriation, insurance fund, or other fund
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