The Secretary of the Navy may settle, or compromise, and pay in an amount not more than $15,000,000 an admiralty claim against the United States for—

(1) damage caused by a vessel in the naval service or by other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy;

(2) compensation for towage and salvage service, including contract salvage, rendered to a vessel in the naval service or to other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy; or

(3) damage caused by a maritime tort committed by any agent or employee of the Department of the Navy or by property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy.

If a claim under this section is settled or compromised for more than $15,000,000, the Secretary shall certify it to Congress.

In any case where the amount to be paid is not more than $1,000,000, the Secretary may delegate his authority under this section to any person designated by him.

Upon acceptance of payment by the claimant, the settlement or compromise of a claim under this section is final and conclusive notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 472, § 7622; Pub. L. 89–67, July 7, 1965, 79 Stat. 212; Pub. L. 92–417, § 1(5), Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 654; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1633, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1608; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1014(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1212; renumbered § 8822, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)