[[File:Wesley Livsey Jones.jpg|right|thumb|The Jones Act fu sponsorizzato dal Senatore [[Wesley Livsey Jones]] di [[Washington (state)|Washington]].]]The "Merchant Marine Act of 1920," spesso chiamato: "Jones Act," requiresimponeva U.S.-flaggedalle vesselsnavi bebattenti builtbandiera in the United Statesstatunitense, owned by U.S. citizens, and documented under the laws of the United States.<ref>Documented means "registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States."</ref> It also requires thatche alltutti officersgli andufficiali e il 75% ofdell'equipaggio thedeve crewessere mustdi benazionalità U.S. citizensstatunitense. Vessels satisfying these requirements comprise the "Jones Act Fleet," and only these vessels may engage in "[[cabotage]]", or carrying passengers or cargo between two U.S. ports.<ref>There are countries in which, due to lower labor standards and prevailing wages, are much cheaper to document a vessel than the United States. Critics of the act claim it unfairly restricts the lucrative domestic shipping business.</ref>
Another important aspect of the Act is that it allows injured sailors to obtain damages from their employers for the negligence of the [[ship]]owner, the [[Captain (nautical)|captain]], or fellow members of the crew.
