Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§3853 Liability in Rem
Title 33 › CHAPTER 51 — CLEAN HULLS › SUBCHAPTER IV — ACTION ON VIOLATION, PENALTIES, AND REFERRALS › § 3853
Summary
A vessel breaking these rules must pay fines under Title 18 or penalties under section 3852, and can be sued in any U.S. district where it is found.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §3853
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A vessel operated in violation of the Convention, this chapter, or any regulation prescribed under this chapter, is liable in rem for any fine imposed under title 18 or civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 3852 of this title, and may be proceeded against in the United States district court of any district in which the vessel may be found.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of Pub. L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.
Amendments
2010—Pub. L. 111–330 substituted “under title 18” for “under section 18”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2010 Amendment Pub. L. 111–330, § 1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that the amendment made by section 1(20) is effective with the enactment of Pub. L. 111–281.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 3853
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102