46 U.S.C. § 30915 — Seizures and other proceedings in foreign jurisdictions

(a) In General. Say a vessel or cargo covered by section 30908 or 30914 gets arrested, attached, or seized by a court in a foreign country — or a foreign court hears a case against that vessel's master over a claim tied to the vessel's or cargo's ownership, possession, operation, or carriage. When that happens, the Secretary of State — if the Attorney General or another authorized officer asks — can direct the nearest U.S. consul to either: (1) claim that the vessel or cargo is immune from arrest, attachment, or seizure, and sign whatever agreement, stipulation, bond, or undertaking is needed, on behalf of the United States or the federally-owned corporation, to get it released and to handle any appeal; or (2) if the case is against the vessel's master, formally appear on behalf of the United States or the corporation and pledge their credit to pay any judgment and costs. (b) Arranging Bond or Stipulation. The Attorney General can: (1) work with a bank, surety company, or anyone else — in the U.S. or abroad — to sign a bond or stipulation; and (2) pledge the credit of the United States to back that bond or stipulation. (c) Payment of Judgment. The proper U.S. or corporate accounting officer can pay a judgment from a case described in (a), once shown a copy certified by the court clerk and authenticated by: (1) the seal and certificate of the U.S. consul who claimed the vessel or cargo (or their successor); and (2) a certificate from the Secretary of State confirming that consul's official role. (d) Right To Claim Immunity Not Affected. Nothing in this section limits the United States' right to claim that a vessel or cargo is immune from a foreign court's authority.