---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4307"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4307"
heading: "Prohibited acts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4307"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 43 — Recreational Vessels"
---

# §4307. Prohibited acts

- (a) A [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) may not—
  - (1) manufacture, construct, assemble, sell or offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce, or import into the United States, a [recreational vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=36), associated equipment, or component of the vessel or equipment unless—
    - (A)
      - (i) it conforms with this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter; and
      - (ii) it does not contain a defect which has been identified, in any communication to such [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) or the manufacturer of that vessel, equipment or component, as creating a substantial risk of personal injury to the public; or
    - (B) it is intended only for export and is so labeled, tagged, or marked on the [recreational vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=36) or equipment, including any markings on the outside of the container in which it is to be exported;
  - (2) affix, attach, or display a seal, document, label, plate, insignia, or other device indicating or suggesting compliance with standards of the United States Government on, in, or in connection with, a [recreational vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=36) or item of associated equipment that is false or misleading; or
  - (3) fail to provide a notification as required by this chapter or fail to exercise reasonable diligence in carrying out the notification and reporting requirements of this chapter.
- (b) A [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) may not operate a vessel in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 98–557, § 8(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2862.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 4307(a) | 46:1461(a) |
| 4307(b) | 46:1461(c) |

Section 4307 prohibits certain acts in the manufacture and operation of recreational vessels.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1984—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 98–557 designated existing provisions as cl. (i), substituted “and” for “or”, and added cl. (ii).