10 U.S.C. § 8821: Definitions

(a) In this chapter “vessel in the naval service” means—(1) any vessel of the Navy, manned by the Navy, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Navy; or (2) when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy, any vessel of the Coast Guard, manned by the Coast Guard, or chartered on bareboat charter to the Coast Guard. (b) In this chapter “settle” means consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, and dispose of a claim, whether by full or partial allowance or by disallowance.