46 U.S.C. § 31102 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 31102. Waiver of immunity

(a) In general.--A civil action in personam in admiralty may be brought, or an impleader filed, against the United States for--

(b) Counterclaim or setoff.--If the United States brings a civil action in admiralty for damages caused by a privately owned vessel, the owner of the vessel, or the successor in interest, may file a counterclaim in personam, or claim a setoff, against the United States for damages arising out of the same subject matter.