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Code · U.S. Code · Title 46 - SHIPPING · CHAPTER 700— PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY · SUBCHAPTER VI— REGULATION OF VESSELS IN TERRITORIAL WATERS OF UNITED STATES · § 70052

§ 70052. Seizure and forfeiture of vessel; fine and imprisonment

640 words·~3 min read·/usc/title-46/section-70052

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(a)In General.— If any owner, agent, master, officer, or person in charge, or any member of the crew of any such vessel fails to comply with any regulation or rule issued or order given under the provisions of this subchapter, or obstructs or interferes with the exercise of any power conferred by this subchapter, the vessel, together with her tackle, apparel, furniture, and equipment, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the United States in the same manner as merchandise is forfeited for violation of the customs revenue laws; and the person guilty of such failure, obstruction, or interference shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years and may, in the discretion of the court, be fined not more than $10,000.
(b)Application to Others.— If any other person knowingly fails to comply with any regulation or rule issued or order given under the provisions of this subchapter, or knowingly obstructs or interferes with the exercise of any power conferred by this subchapter, he shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years and may, at the discretion of the court, be fined not more than $10,000.
(c)Civil Penalty.— A person violating this subchapter, or a regulation prescribed under this subchapter, shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation.
(d)In Rem Liability.— Any vessel that is used in violation of this subchapter, or of any regulation issued under this subchapter, shall be liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsection
(c)and may be proceeded against in the United States district court for any district in which such vessel may be found.
(e)Withholding of Clearance.—
(1)In general.— If any owner, agent, master, officer, or person in charge of a vessel is liable for a penalty or fine under subsection (c), or if reasonable cause exists to believe that the owner, agent, master, officer, or person in charge may be subject to a penalty or fine under this section, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may, with respect to such vessel, refuse or revoke any clearance required by section 60105.
(2)Clearance upon filing of bond or other surety.— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may require the filing of a bond or other surety as a condition of granting clearance refused or revoked under this subsection.
(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 407(c)(3), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4267; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8507(a)(11), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4754; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXVII, § 7701(f)(7), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1836.)
Connections56 cite this · traces to 3
Cited by 56 sections · top 49
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17 references not yet in our index
  • 132 Stat. 4267
  • 134 Stat. 4754
  • Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXVII, § 7701(f)(7)
  • 139 Stat. 1836
  • June 15, 1917, ch. 30
  • 40 Stat. 220
  • Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 3(a)
  • 54 Stat. 79
  • Nov. 15, 1941, ch. 471, § 3
  • 55 Stat. 763
  • Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 656, § 3
  • 64 Stat. 428
  • Pub. L. 107–295, title I, § 104(b)
  • 116 Stat. 2085
  • Pub. L. 108–293, title VIII, § 802(b)
  • 118 Stat. 1079
  • Pub. L. 119–60
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 70052
Seizure and forfeiture of vessel; fine and imprisonment
Fed. Reg.×40
C.F.R.×12
Pub. L.×1
Stat. Comp.×1
Stat.×1
U.S.C.×1
Stat.132 Stat. 4267
Stat.134 Stat. 4754
Pub. L.Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXVII, § 7701(f)(7)
Stat.139 Stat. 1836
ActJune 15, 1917, ch. 30
Cites 20 · showing 8Cited by 56 across 6 sources
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