46 U.S.C. § 12131

(a) In General .— Except as provided in subsection (b), a documented vessel may be placed under the command only of a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1408 )) of the United States. (b) Exceptions .— Subsection (a) does not apply to— (1) a vessel with only a recreational endorsement; or (2) an unmanned barge operating outside of the territorial waters of the United States.