vessel of the United States
(10) Vessel of the United States The term “vessel of the United States” means— (A) a vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46 or a vessel numbered as provided in chapter 123 of that title; (B) a vessel owned in whole or in part by— (i) the United States or a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States; (ii) a State or political subdivision thereof; (iii) a citizen or national of the United States; or (iv) a corporation created under the laws of the United States or any State, the District of Columbia, or any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States; unless the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; and (C) a vessel that was once documented under the laws of the United States and, in violation of the laws of the United States, was either sold to a person not a citizen of the United States or placed under foreign registry or a foreign flag, whether or not the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.