Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§1477 Reasonable Measures; Considerations
Title 33 › CHAPTER 28 — POLLUTION CASUALTIES ON THE HIGH SEAS: UNITED STATES INTERVENTION › § 1477
Summary
Actions under this chapter must be no more than what is reasonably needed to stop, reduce, or remove harm to the coastline or related U.S. interests. The Secretary must weigh three things: how big and how likely the harm is if nothing is done, how likely the action is to work, and how much harm the action itself might cause.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §1477
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Measures directed or conducted under this chapter shall be proportionate to the damage, actual or threatened, to the coastline or related interests of the United States and may not go beyond what is reasonably necessary to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate that damage.
(b)In considering whether measures are proportionate to the damage the Secretary shall, among other things, consider—
(1)the extent and probability of imminent damage if those measures are not taken;
(2)the likelihood of effectiveness of those measures; and
(3)the extent of the damage which may be caused by those measures.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1477
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102