Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§70013 Requirement to Notify Coast Guard of Release of Objects Into the Navigable Waters of the United States

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter 700— PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › Subchapter II— PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › § 70013

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

If a person learns that a ship or facility put something into the navigable waters of the United States that causes a prohibited obstruction under the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899, they must immediately tell the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army. A report you give can’t be used against you in a criminal case, except if you are charged with lying under oath (perjury) or making a false statement.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70013

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)As soon as a person has knowledge of any release from a vessel or facility into the navigable waters of the United States of any object that creates an obstruction prohibited under section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403), such person shall notify the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army of such release.

(b)Any notification provided by an individual in accordance with subsection (a) may not be used against such individual in any criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury or for giving a false statement.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899, referred to in subsec. (a), means section 10 of act Mar. 3, 1899, ch. 425, 30 Stat. 1151, known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899, which is classified to section 403 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70013

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60