### Question
How is the "public vessel" defined?


### Answer
The term **public vessel** is defined in *33 U.S.C. § 2502* as follows -

> a vessel of any type whatsoever (including hydrofoils, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft whether propelled or not, and fixed or floating platforms) that is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government, and is not engaged in commercial service

#### Citation:
  - *33 U.S.C. § 2502*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 38-DUMPING OF MEDICAL WASTE BY PUBLIC VESSELS**

