1 U.S.C. § 3 : General Provisions — Rules Of Construction — “Vessel” As Including All Means Of Water Transportation Date: 27 Apr 2016 TEXT PDF The word “vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. (July 30, 1947, ch. 388, 61 Stat. 633.)