§ 1286. Liability insurance for persons performing services or providing facilities for vessels
The Secretary is authorized to provide insurance for any person who performs services or provides facilities for or with respect to any American- or foreign-flag vessel, public or private, against legal liabilities that may be incurred by such person in connection with the performance of such services or the providing of such facilities. Such insurance shall not be issued against liability to employees in respect of employers’ liability or workmen’s compensation. No such insurance shall be provided unless, in the opinion of the Secretary, such insurance is required in the prosecution of the war effort or in connection with national defense and cannot be obtained at reasonable rates or upon reasonable conditions from approved companies authorized to do insurance business in any State of the United States.