---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 2714"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "2714"
heading: "Designation of source and advertisement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/2714"
units:
  - "Chapter 40 — Oil Pollution"
  - "Subchapter I — Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation"
---

# §2714. Designation of source and advertisement

- (a) **Designation of source and notification—** When the President receives information of an [incident](/usc/33/2701.md?p=14), the President shall, where possible and appropriate, designate the source or sources of the [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) or threat. If a designated source is a [vessel](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) or a [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), the President shall immediately notify the [responsible party](/usc/33/2701.md?p=32) and the [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13), if known, of that designation.
- (b) **Advertisement by responsible party or guarantor—**
  - (1) If a [responsible party](/usc/33/2701.md?p=32) or [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13) fails to inform the President, within 5 days after receiving notification of a designation under [subsection (a)](#a), of the party’s or the [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13)’s denial of the designation, such party or [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13) shall advertise the designation and the procedures by which [claims](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3) may be presented, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the President. Advertisement under the preceding sentence shall begin no later than 15 days after the date of the designation made under [subsection (a)](#a). If advertisement is not otherwise made in accordance with this subsection, the President shall promptly and at the expense of the [responsible party](/usc/33/2701.md?p=32) or the [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13) involved, advertise the designation and the procedures by which [claims](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3) may be presented to the [responsible party](/usc/33/2701.md?p=32) or [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13). Advertisement under this subsection shall continue for a period of no less than 30 days.
  - (2) An advertisement under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall state that a [claimant](/usc/33/2701.md?p=4) may present a [claim](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3) for interim, short-term [damages](/usc/33/2701.md?p=5) representing less than the full amount of [damages](/usc/33/2701.md?p=5) to which the [claimant](/usc/33/2701.md?p=4) ultimately may be entitled and that payment of such a [claim](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3) shall not preclude recovery for [damages](/usc/33/2701.md?p=5) not reflected in the paid or settled partial [claim](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3).
- (c) **Advertisement by President—** If—
  - (1) the [responsible party](/usc/33/2701.md?p=32) and the [guarantor](/usc/33/2701.md?p=13) both deny a designation within 5 days after receiving notification of a designation under [subsection (a)](#a),
  - (2) the source of the [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) or threat was a [public vessel](/usc/33/2701.md?p=29), or
  - (3) the President is unable to designate the source or sources of the [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) or threat under [subsection (a)](#a),

  the President shall advertise or otherwise notify potential [claimants](/usc/33/2701.md?p=4) of the procedures by which [claims](/usc/33/2701.md?p=3) may be presented to the [Fund](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–380, title I, § 1014, Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, § 1142(c), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3991.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

### Executive Documents

### Delegation of Functions

Functions of President under this section delegated to Secretary of Department in which Coast Guard is operating by section 7(d)(2) of Ex. Ord. No. 12777, Oct. 18, 1991, 56 F.R. 54768, set out as a note under section 1321 of this title.