Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73not60
§1208 Penalties
Title 33 › Chapter 24— VESSEL BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE COMMUNICATION › § 1208
Summary
If a ship's captain or person in charge, or someone they assign to steer or direct the ship, does not follow the rules, they can be fined up to $500 by the Secretary. A ship that sails in violation of the rules can also be fined up to $500, and the government can take the matter to any United States district court that has jurisdiction. The Secretary may cancel or reduce a fine and set the conditions for doing so.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §1208
Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Whoever, being the master or person in charge of a vessel subject to this chapter, fails to enforce or comply with this chapter or the regulation, hereunder; or Whoever, being designated by the master or person in charge of a vessel subject to this chapter to pilot or direct the movement of the vessel, fails to enforce or comply with this chapter or the regulations hereunder— Is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $500 to be assessed by the Secretary.
(b)Every vessel navigating in violation of this chapter or the regulations hereunder is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $500 to be assessed by the Secretary for which the vessel may be proceeded against in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction.
(c)Any penalty assessed under this section may be remitted or mitigated by the Secretary upon such terms as he may deem proper.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective May 1, 1971, or six months after the promulgation of
Regulations
which would implement its provisions, whichever is later, see section 10 of Pub. L. 92–63, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1208
Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60