---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3853"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3853"
heading: "Liability in rem"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3853"
units:
  - "Chapter 51 — Clean Hulls"
  - "Subchapter IV — Action on Violation, Penalties, and Referrals"
---

# §3853. Liability in rem


A [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) operated in violation of the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3), this chapter, or any regulation prescribed under this chapter, is liable in rem for any fine imposed under [title 18](/usc/18.md) or civil penalty assessed pursuant to [section 3852 of this title](/usc/33/3852.md), and may be proceeded against in the [United States](/usc/33/3801.md?p=14) district court of any district in which the [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) may be found.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1043, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(20), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3571.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, 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 L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.)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.

### Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–330 substituted “under title 18” for “under section 18”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–330, § 1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3569, provided that the amendment made by section 1(20) is effective with the enactment of Pub. L. 111–281.