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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§9308 Penalties

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part F — Manning of Vessels › CHAPTER 93 — GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE › § 9308

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

If an owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, captain, or person in charge knowingly lets a vessel be operated in violation of section 9302, they must pay the U.S. government up to $10,000 for each day the vessel breaks the rule. The vessel itself can also be held responsible for that penalty. If someone directs the vessel’s navigation in violation of section 9302, that person must pay up to $10,000 for each day the violation happens. Anyone who breaks a regulation made under section 9303 must pay up to $10,000.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §9308

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel knowingly allowing the vessel to be operated in violation of section 9302 of this title is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for each day during which the vessel is in violation. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.
(b)An individual who directs the navigation of a vessel in violation of section 9302 of this title is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.
(c)A person violating a regulation prescribed under section 9303 of this title is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 930846:216e(a)–(c) section 9308 prescribes the penalties for violations of section 9302 and 9303.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 101–380 substituted “no more than $10,000” for “$500”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1990 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 9308

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102