((a)) This chapter applies to any suit against the United States under chapter 311 of title 46 for—

((1)) damage caused by a vessel in the naval service; or

((2)) compensation for towage or salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to a vessel in the naval service.

((b)) In this chapter, the term “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.