Title 14 — Coast GuardRelease 119-73
§933 Coast Guard ensigns and pennants
Title 14 › Subtitle SUBTITLE I— - ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS, DUTIES, AND ADMINISTRATION › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - MISCELLANEOUS › § 933
Summary
The Secretary must create special flags, pennants, or other marks for Coast Guard vessels and aircraft and set rules for how to display them. No one else may use or imitate those marks. Violators face a fine up to $5,000, prison up to two years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 14, §933
Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Vessels and aircraft authorized by the Secretary shall be distinguished from other vessels and aircraft by an ensign, pennant, or other identifying insignia of such design as prescribed by the Secretary. Such ensign, pennant, or other identifying insignia shall be displayed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(b)No vessel or aircraft without authority shall carry, hoist, or display any ensign, pennant, or other identifying insignia prescribed for, or intended to resemble, any ensign, pennant, or other identifying insignia prescribed for Coast Guard vessels or aircraft. An individual violating this subsection shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 64 (R.S. 2764; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title III, § 308, 49 Stat. 528). Aircraft are included within the provisions of this section. The Secretary rather than the President is given the authority to design ensigns and pennants. Unauthorized display of such insignia is made illegal anywhere rather than only “within the jurisdiction of the United States”. The language is broadened to include “any person violating this section”; existing law applies to masters of offending vessels only. 81st Congress,
House Report No. 557
.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “An individual” for “Every person”. 2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 638 of this title as this section. 2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–281 substituted “Vessels and aircraft authorized by the Secretary” for “Coast Guard vessels and aircraft”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
14 U.S.C. § 933
Title 14 — Coast Guard
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73