---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8906"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "8906"
heading: "Penalty"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/8906"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 89 — Small Vessel Manning"
---

# §8906. Penalty


An [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2), charterer, managing operator, agent, [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), or individual in charge of a vessel operated in violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 556; Pub. L. 104–324, title III, § 306(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3918.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 8906 | 46:390d |

Section 8906 prescribes the penalties for violations of this chapter.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–324 substituted “not more than $25,000” for “$1,000”.