---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4504"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4504"
heading: "Prohibited acts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4504"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 45 — Uninspected Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels"
---

# §4504. Prohibited acts


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

(Added Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(7)(C), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 447; amended Pub. L. 100–424, § 2(a), Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1587.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–424 amended section generally, substituting “Prohibited acts” for “Penalties” in section catchline, and provisions prohibiting operation of vessel in violation of this chapter, for provisions which imposed civil penalty not more than $1,000 for operation of vessel in violation of chapter, and liability in rem for penalty.