Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73
§1906 Incidents involving ships
Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 33— - PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS › § 1906
Summary
If a ship is involved in an incident, the captain, person in charge, owner, charterer, manager, or operator must send a report in the way Article 8 of the Convention says and follow rules made by the Secretary. This rule applies to U.S.-registered or U.S.-controlled ships anywhere, to any other ship while it is in U.S. navigable waters, and to seaports or oil-handling facilities under U.S. control.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §1906
Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The master, person in charge, owner, charterer, manager, or operator of a ship involved in an incident shall report the incident in the manner prescribed by Article 8 of the Convention in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary for that purpose.
(b)The master or person in charge of—
(1)a ship of United States registry or nationality, or operated under the authority of the United States, wherever located;
(2)another ship while in the navigable waters of the United States; or
(3)a sea port or oil handling facility subject to the jurisdiction of the United States,
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–241 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “(a) As soon as he has knowledge of an incident, the master or other person in charge of a ship shall report it to the Secretary in the manner prescribed by Article 8 of the Convention. “(b) Upon receipt of the report of an incident involving a ship, other than one of United States registry or nationality or one operated under the authority of the United States, the Secretary shall take the action required by Article 8 of the Convention.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1906
Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73