(a) Title 46 U.S.C. § 8302 contains the requirements for staff departments on U.S. flag vessels.

(b) Title 46 U.S.C. § 8302 does not apply to—

(1) A fishing or whaling vessel or yacht;

(2) A vessel operated only on bays, sounds, inland waters, and lakes (other than the Great Lakes); and

(3) A vessel ferrying passengers and cars on the Great Lakes.