---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4507"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4507"
heading: "Penalties"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4507"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 45 — Uninspected Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels"
---

# §4507. Penalties

- (a) The [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2), charterer, managing operator, agent, [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), and individual in charge of a vessel to which this chapter applies which is operated in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter may each be assessed a civil penalty by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of not more than $5,000. Any vessel with respect to which a penalty is assessed under this subsection is liable in rem for the penalty.
- (b) A [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) willfully violating this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 100–424, § 2(a), Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1588.)