Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§10321 General Penalty
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › CHAPTER 103 — FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES › § 10321
Summary
Breaking these rules can make a person owe the U.S. government a fine of up to $5,000. The ship itself can also be held responsible for paying that fine.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §10321
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)A person violating any provision of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.
(b)The vessel is liable in rem for any penalty assessed under this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1032146:56746:56846:57146:66146:665 section 10321 makes a vessel on which a seaman is carried to sea in violation of this chapter or regulation prescribed under this chapter liable in rem to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $200 for each seaman carried in violation.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1993—Pub. L. 103–206 amended heading and text of section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, or master of a vessel on which a seaman is carried in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $200 for each seaman carried in violation. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 10321
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102