46 U.S.C. § 30526: Provisions requiring notice of claim or limiting time for bringing action

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. giving notice of, or filing a claim for, personal injury or death, in the case of seagoing vessels, to less than 6 months after the date of the injury or death, or in the case of covered small passenger vessels, to less than two years after the date of the injury or death; or bringing a civil action for personal injury or death, in the case of seagoing vessels, to less than one year after the date of the injury or death, or in the case of covered small passenger vessels, to less than two years after the date of the injury or death. the court finds that the owner, master, or agent of the vessel had knowledge of the injury or death and the owner has not been prejudiced by the failure; the court finds there was a satisfactory reason why the notice could not have been given; or the owner of the vessel fails to object to the failure to give the notice. the date a legal representative is appointed for the minor, incompetent, or decedent’s estate; or 3 years after the injury or death.