Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73not60

§25 Fishing Vessels; Duty to Keep Nets From Cables

Title 47 › Chapter 2— SUBMARINE CABLES › § 25

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Captains must keep their nets and gear at least one nautical mile away from any ship that is laying or fixing an underwater cable, and at least one-quarter of a nautical mile away from buoys that mark a cable being laid or that are damaged. If a captain breaks these rules, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to ten days in jail, a fine up to $250, or both. If a cable ship shows signals, fishing boats that see them get up to twenty-four hours to obey, and nothing may block their work during that time.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §25

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The master of any fishing vessel who shall not keep his implements or nets at a distance of at least one nautical mile from a vessel engaged in laying or repairing a cable; or the master of any fishing vessel who shall not keep his implements or nets at a distance of at least a quarter of a nautical mile from a buoy or buoys intended to mark the position of a cable when being laid or when out of order or broken, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten days, or to a fine not exceeding $250, or to both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. Fishing vessels, on perceiving or being able to perceive the said signals displayed on a telegraph ship, shall be allowed such time as may be necessary to obey the notice thus given, not exceeding twenty-four hours, during which period no obstacle shall be placed in the way of their operations.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 25

Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60