1 U.S.C. § 3 : — GENERAL PROVISIONSRULES OF CONSTRUCTION — "Vessel" as including all means of water transportation 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. 1 U.S.C. § 3 July 30, 1947, ch. 388, 61 Stat. 633.