---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 9308"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "9308"
heading: "Penalties"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/9308"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 93 — Great Lakes Pilotage"
---

# §9308. Penalties

- (a) 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 knowingly allowing the vessel to be operated in violation of [section 9302 of this title](/usc/46/9302.md) is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for each day during which the vessel is in violation. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.
- (b) An individual who directs the navigation of a vessel in violation of [section 9302 of this title](/usc/46/9302.md) is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.
- (c) A [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) violating a regulation prescribed under [section 9303 of this title](/usc/46/9303.md) is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of no more than $10,000.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 560; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4108(b), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 515.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 9308 | 46:216e(a)–(c) |

Section 9308 prescribes the penalties for violations of sections 9302 and 9303.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1990—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 101–380 substituted “no more than $10,000” for “$500”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.