§543 — Title 14 Coast Guard | U.S. Code

Summary

It is illegal for anyone — people, government groups, or agencies (but not the armed forces) — to remove, move, block, damage, attach to, or otherwise interfere with Coast Guard navigation aids (like buoys, beacons, or range lights) or other aids the Coast Guard has authorized. Anchoring a boat so it blocks range lights is also banned. Breaking this rule is a misdemeanor and can bring a fine of up to $1,500 for each offense. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Title 14, §543

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

It shall be unlawful for any person, or public body, or instrumentality, excluding the armed forces, to remove, change the location of, obstruct, wilfully damage, make fast to, or interfere with any aid to navigation established, installed, operated, or maintained by the Coast Guard pursuant to section 541 of this title, or with any aid to navigation lawfully maintained under authority granted by the Coast Guard pursuant to section 542 of this title, or to anchor any vessel in any of the navigable waters of the United States so as to obstruct or interfere with range lights maintained therein. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,500 for each offense. Each day during which such violation shall continue shall be considered as a new offense.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 33, U.S.C., 1946, ed., §§ 761, 762 (

May 14, 1908, ch. 168, § 6, 35 Stat. 162;

June 17, 1910, ch. 301, § 6, 36 Stat. 538; Mar. 3, 1915, ch. 81, § 8, 38 Stat. 928; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 2(a), eff.

July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1432). Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress,

House Report No. 557

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 543 was renumbered section 2905 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, § 123(b)(2), substituted “section 541” for “section 81” and “section 542” for “section 83”. Pub. L. 115–282, § 105(b), renumbered section 84 of this title as this section. 2014—Pub. L. 113–281 substituted “$1,500” for “$500”.

§543 Interference with Aids to Navigation; Penalty