---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3841"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3841"
heading: "Prohibitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3841"
units:
  - "Chapter 51 — Clean Hulls"
  - "Subchapter III — Prohibitions and Enforcement Authority"
---

# §3841. Prohibitions

- (a) **In general—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any [person](/usc/33/3801.md?p=9)—
  - (1) to act in violation of this chapter, or any regulation prescribed under this chapter;
  - (2) to [sell or distribute](/usc/33/3801.md?p=11) in domestic or international commerce [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) or an [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) containing [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8);
  - (3) to manufacture, process, or use [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) to formulate an [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2);
  - (4) to apply an [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) containing [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) on any [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) to which this chapter applies; or
  - (5) after the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3) enters into force for the [United States](/usc/33/3801.md?p=14), to apply or otherwise use in a manner inconsistent with the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3), an [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) on any [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) that is subject to this chapter.
- (b) **Vessel hulls—** Except as provided in [subsection (c)](#c), no [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) shall bear on its hull or outer surface any [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) containing [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8), regardless of when such system was applied, unless that [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) bears an overcoating which forms a barrier to [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) leaching from the underlying [antifouling system](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2).
- (c) **Limitations—**
  - (1) **Excepted vessel—** [Subsection (b)](#b) does not apply to fixed or floating platforms, [FSUs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=5), or [FPSOs](/usc/33/3801.md?p=4) that were constructed prior to January 1, 2003, and that have not been in dry dock on or after that date.
  - (2) **Sale, manufacture, etc.** This section does not apply to—
    - (A) the sale, distribution, or use pursuant to any agreement between the [Administrator](/usc/33/3801.md?p=1) and any [person](/usc/33/3801.md?p=9) that results in an earlier prohibition or cancellation date than specified in this chapter; or
    - (B) the manufacture, processing, formulation, sale, distribution, or use of [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) or [antifouling systems](/usc/33/3801.md?p=2) containing [organotin](/usc/33/3801.md?p=8) used or intended for use only for sonar domes or in conductivity sensors in oceanographic instruments.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1031, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3027.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (4), (5) and (c)(2)(A), was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of Pub. L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.