---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 2304"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "2304"
heading: "Duty to provide assistance at sea"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/2304"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 23 — Operation of Vessels Generally"
---

# §2304. Duty to provide assistance at sea

- (a)
  - (1) A [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1)’s or individual’s vessel or individuals on board.
  - (2) [Paragraph (1)](#a-1) does not apply to a [vessel of war](/usc/46/2101.md?p=57) or a vessel owned by the United States Government appropriated only to a public service.
- (b) A [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 509; Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(8), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1703.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 2304 | 46:728 |

Section 2304 requires a master or individual in charge of a vessel to render assistance to those in danger at sea if able to do so without seriously endangering the vessel or crew.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–304 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).