---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3854"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "3854"
heading: "Vessel clearance or permits; refusal or revocation; bond or other surety"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3854"
units:
  - "Chapter 51 — Clean Hulls"
  - "Subchapter IV — Action on Violation, Penalties, and Referrals"
---

# §3854. Vessel clearance or permits; refusal or revocation; bond or other surety


If any [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12) that is subject to the [Convention](/usc/33/3801.md?p=3) or this chapter, or its owner, operator, or [person](/usc/33/3801.md?p=9) in charge, is liable for a fine or civil penalty under section [3852](/usc/33/3852.md) or [3853](/usc/33/3853.md) of this title, or if reasonable cause exists to believe that the [vessel](/usc/33/3801.md?p=12), its owner, operator, or [person](/usc/33/3801.md?p=9) in charge may be subject to a fine or civil penalty under section [3852](/usc/33/3852.md) or [3853](/usc/33/3853.md) of this title, the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10) may refuse or revoke the clearance required by [section 60105 of title 46](/usc/46/60105.md). Clearance may be granted upon the filing of a bond or other surety satisfaction to the [Secretary](/usc/33/3801.md?p=10).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1044, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031.)

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 L. 111–281, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.)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