---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 4703"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "4703"
heading: "Penalty for unlawful abandonment of barge"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/4703"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part B — Inspection and Regulation of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 47 — Abandonment of Vessels"
  - "Subchapter I — Barges"
---

# §4703. Penalty for unlawful abandonment of barge


Thirty days after the notification procedures under [section 4704(a)(1)](/usc/46/4704.md?p=a-1) are completed, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each day of the violation against an [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) or operator that violates section 4702. A vessel with respect to which a penalty is assessed under this subchapter is liable in rem for the penalty.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 102–587, title V, § 5302, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5082; amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7347(c)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1781.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “subchapter” for “chapter”.