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

(a) Application. This section applies only to seagoing vessels. It 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 other unclassified vessels. (b) Minimum Time Limits. The owner, master, manager, or agent of a vessel carrying passengers or property between U.S. ports, or between a U.S. port and a foreign port, cannot shorten, by regulation, contract, or otherwise, the time allowed for (1) giving notice of, or filing, a personal injury or death claim to less than six months after the injury or death — or, for covered small passenger vessels, less than two years — or (2) bringing a civil lawsuit for personal injury or death to less than one year after the injury or death — or, for covered small passenger vessels, less than two years. (c) Effect of Failure To Give Notice. When a contract requires notice of a claim, failing to give that notice does not bar recovery if (1) the court finds the vessel's owner, master, or agent already knew about the injury or death and was not prejudiced by the missing notice; (2) the court finds there was a good reason the notice could not be given; or (3) the vessel's owner does not object to the missing notice. (d) Tolling of Period To Give Notice. If the claimant is a minor or mentally incompetent, or the claim is for wrongful death, any contract deadline for giving notice is paused until the earlier of (1) the date a legal representative is appointed for the minor, the incompetent person, or the decedent's estate, or (2) three years after the injury or death.