§70041 Regattas and Marine Parades

Summary

The Commandant of the Coast Guard can make safety rules for boat races and marine parades on navigable waters. To enforce those rules, the Coast Guard can use its public vessels and any private boats offered for free. The Commandant can also ask other federal agencies to use their public vessels and free private boats. The President may temporarily give the Commandant’s power to another federal department head for special events. If someone breaks the rules, a licensed officer can have their license suspended or revoked. A person navigating a vessel who is not a licensed officer can be fined $5,000. An owner actually on board (including a corporate officer) can be fined $5,000 unless they did not know about the violation. Any other person can be fined $2,500. The Commandant can reduce or cancel these fines under the same rules used for other navigation law penalties.