1. U.S. Code
  2. title 33
  3. chapter 33
  4. § 1912

Collapse to view only § 1912. International law

§ 1901. Definitions
(a) Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this chapter—
(1) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(2) “Antarctica” means the area south of 60 degrees south latitude;
(3) “Antarctic Protocol” means the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, signed October 4, 1991, in Madrid, and all annexes thereto, and includes any future amendments thereto which have entered into force;
(4) “MARPOL Protocol” means the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, and includes the Convention;
(5) “Convention” means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, including Protocols I and II and Annexes I, II, V, and VI thereto, including any modification or amendments to the Convention, Protocols, or Annexes which have entered into force for the United States;
(6) “discharge”, “emission”, “garbage”, “harmful substance”, and “incident” shall have the meanings provided in the Convention;
(7) “navigable waters” includes the territorial sea of the United States (as defined in Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988) and the internal waters of the United States;
(8) “owner” means any person holding title to, or in the absence of title, any other indicia of ownership of, a ship or terminal, but does not include a person who, without participating in the management or operation of a ship or terminal, holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest in the ship or terminal;
(9) “operator” means—
(a) in the case of a ship, a charterer by demise or any other person, except the owner, who is responsible for the operation, manning, victualing, and supplying of the vessel, or
(b) in the case of a terminal, any person, except the owner, responsible for the operation of the terminal by agreement with the owner;
(10) “person” means an individual, firm, public or private corporation, partnership, association, State, municipality, commission, political subdivision of a State, or any interstate body;
(11) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating;
(12) “ship” means a vessel of any type whatsoever, including hydrofoils, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft whether self-propelled or not, and fixed or floating platforms;
(13) “submersible” means a submarine, or any other vessel designed to operate under water; and
(14) “terminal” means an onshore facility or an offshore structure located in the navigable waters of the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and used, or intended to be used, as a port or facility for the transfer or other handling of a harmful substance.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, the requirements of Annex V shall apply to the navigable waters of the United States, as well as to all other waters and vessels over which the United States has jurisdiction.
(c) For the purposes of this chapter, the requirements of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol shall apply in Antarctica to all vessels over which the United States has jurisdiction.
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 2, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2297; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2101, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1460; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title X, § 1003(f), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1748; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(a), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042; Pub. L. 110–280, § 3, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2611.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1901

§ 1902. Ships subject to preventive measures
(a) Included vesselsThis chapter shall apply—
(1) to a ship of United States registry or nationality, or one operated under the authority of the United States, wherever located;
(2) with respect to Annexes I and II to the Convention, to a ship, other than a ship referred to in paragraph (1), while in the navigable waters of the United States;
(3) with respect to the requirements of Annex V to the Convention, to a ship, other than a ship referred to in paragraph (1), while in the navigable waters or the exclusive economic zone of the United States;
(4) with respect to regulations prescribed under section 1905 of this title, any port or terminal in the United States; and
(5) with respect to Annex VI to the Convention, and other than with respect to a ship referred to in paragraph (1)—
(A) to a ship that is in a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or the internal waters of the United States;
(B) to a ship that is bound for, or departing from, a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or the internal waters of the United States, and is in—
(i) the navigable waters or the exclusive economic zone of the United States;
(ii) an emission control area designated pursuant to section 1903 of this title; or
(iii) any other area that the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary and each State in which any part of the area is located, has designated by order as being an area from which emissions from ships are of concern with respect to protection of public health, welfare, or the environment;
(C) to a ship that is entitled to fly the flag of, or operating under the authority of, a party to Annex VI, and is in—
(i) the navigable waters or the exclusive economic zone of the United States;
(ii) an emission control area designated under section 1903 of this title; or
(iii) any other area that the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary and each State in which any part of the area is located, has designated by order as being an area from which emissions from ships are of concern with respect to protection of public health, welfare, or the environment; and
(D) to any other ship, to the extent that, and in the same manner as, such ship may be boarded by the Secretary to implement or enforce any other law of the United States or Annex I, II, or V of the Convention, and is in—
(i) the exclusive economic zone of the United States;
(ii) the navigable waters of the United States;
(iii) an emission control area designated under section 1903 of this title; or
(iv) any other area that the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary and each State in which any part of the area is located, has designated by order as being an area from which emissions from ships are of concern with respect to protection of public health, welfare, or the environment.
(b) Excluded vessels; discharge requirements
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), this chapter shall not apply to—
(A) a ship of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (2); or
(B) any other ship specifically excluded by the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol.
(2) A ship described in this paragraph is a ship that is owned or operated by the Secretary, with respect to the Coast Guard, or by the Secretary of a military department, and that, as determined by the Secretary concerned—
(A) has unique military design, construction, manning, or operating requirements; and
(B) cannot fully comply with the discharge requirements of Annex V to the Convention because compliance is not technologically feasible or would impair the operations or operational capability of the ship.
(3)
(A) Notwithstanding any provision of the MARPOL Protocol, the requirements of Annex V to the Convention shall apply to all ships referred to in subsection (a) other than those described in paragraph (2).
(B) A ship that is described in paragraph (2) shall limit the discharge into the sea of garbage as follows:
(i) The discharge into the sea of plastics, including synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags, and incinerator ashes from plastic products that may contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals, or the residues thereof, is prohibited.
(ii) Garbage consisting of the following material may be discharged into the sea, subject to subparagraph (C):(I) A non-floating slurry of seawater, paper, cardboard, or food waste that is capable of passing through a screen with openings no larger than 12 millimeters in diameter.(II) Metal and glass that have been shredded and bagged (in compliance with clause (i)) so as to ensure negative buoyancy.(III) With regard to a submersible, nonplastic garbage that has been compacted and weighted to ensure negative buoyancy.(IV) Ash from incinerators or other thermal destruction systems not containing toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or incompletely burned plastics.
(C)
(i) Garbage described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I) may not be discharged within 3 nautical miles of land.
(ii) Garbage described in subclauses (II), (III), and (IV) of subparagraph (B)(ii) may not be discharged within 12 nautical miles of land.
(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), a ship described in paragraph (2) that is not equipped with garbage-processing equipment sufficient to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B)(ii) may discharge garbage that has not been processed in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii) if such discharge occurs as far as practicable from the nearest land, but in any case not less than—
(i) 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, in the case of food wastes and non-floating garbage, including paper products, cloth, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, and similar refuse; and
(ii) 25 nautical miles from the nearest land, in the case of all other garbage.
(E) This paragraph shall not apply when discharge of any garbage is necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship, the health of the ship’s personnel, or saving life at sea. In the event that there is such a discharge, the discharge shall be reported to the Secretary, with respect to the Coast Guard, or the Secretary concerned.
(F) This paragraph shall not apply during time of war or a national emergency declared by the President or Congress.
(c) Application to other persons
(d) Discharges in special areas
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), not later than December 31, 2000, all surface ships owned or operated by the Department of the Navy, and not later than December 31, 2008, all submersibles owned or operated by the Department of the Navy, shall comply with the special area requirements of Regulation 5 of Annex V to the Convention.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), any ship described in subparagraph (C) may discharge, without regard to the special area requirements of Regulation 5 of Annex V to the Convention, the following non-plastic, non-floating garbage:
(i) A slurry of seawater, paper, cardboard, or food waste that is capable of passing through a screen with openings no larger than 12 millimeters in diameter.
(ii) Metal and glass that have been shredded and bagged so as to ensure negative buoyancy.
(iii) With regard to a submersible, nonplastic garbage that has been compacted and weighted to ensure negative buoyancy.
(B)
(i) Garbage described in subparagraph (A)(i) may not be discharged within 3 nautical miles of land.
(ii) Garbage described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) may not be discharged within 12 nautical miles of land.
(C) This paragraph applies to any ship that is owned or operated by the Department of the Navy that, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy—
(i) has unique military design, construction, manning, or operating requirements; and
(ii) cannot fully comply with the special area requirements of Regulation 5 of Annex V to the Convention because compliance is not technologically feasible or would impair the operations or operational capability of the ship.
(3)
(A) Not later than December 31, 2000, the Secretary of the Navy shall prescribe and publish in the Federal Register standards to ensure that each ship described in subparagraph (B) is, to the maximum extent practicable without impairing the operations or operational capabilities of the ship, operated in a manner that is consistent with the special area requirements of Regulation 5 of Annex V to the Convention.
(B) Subparagraph (A) applies to surface ships that are owned or operated by the Department of the Navy that the Secretary plans to decommission during the period beginning on January 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005.
(C) At the same time that the Secretary publishes standards under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a list of the ships covered by subparagraph (B).
(e) Discharge of agricultural cargo residue
(f) Regulations
(g) Compliance by excluded vessels
(1) The Secretary of the Navy shall develop and, as appropriate, support the development of technologies and practices for solid waste management aboard ships owned or operated by the Department of the Navy, including technologies and practices for the reduction of the waste stream generated aboard such ships, that are necessary to ensure the compliance of such ships with subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Notwithstanding any effective date of the application of this section to a ship, the provisions of Annex V to the Convention and subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section with respect to the disposal of plastic shall apply to ships equipped with plastic processors required for the long-term collection and storage of plastic aboard ships of the Navy upon the installation of such processors in such ships.
(3) Except when necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship, the health of the ship’s personnel, or saving life at sea, it shall be a violation of this chapter for a ship referred to in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section that is owned or operated by the Department of the Navy:
(A) With regard to a submersible, to discharge buoyant garbage or plastic.
(B) With regard to a surface ship, to discharge plastic contaminated by food during the last 3 days before the ship enters port.
(C) With regard to a surface ship, to discharge plastic, except plastic that is contaminated by food, during the last 20 days before the ship enters port.
(4) The Secretary of Defense shall publish in the Federal Register:
(A) Each year, the amount and nature of the discharges in special areas, not otherwise authorized under this chapter, during the preceding year from ships referred to in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section owned or operated by the Department of the Navy.
(B) Beginning on October 1, 1996, and each year thereafter until October 1, 1998, a list of the names of such ships equipped with plastic processors pursuant to section 1003(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994.
(h) Waiver authority
(i) Noncommercial shipping standards
(j) Savings clause
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 3, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2297; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2102, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1461; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title X, § 1003(a)–(d), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1745–1747; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title III, § 324(a), (d), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2480, 2481; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(b), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title III, § 326, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 1965; Pub. L. 110–280, § 4, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2611; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, § 313, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1355; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8502(a)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4746.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1902

§ 1902a. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8502(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4746

CITE AS: 33 USC 1902a

§ 1903. Administration and enforcement
(a) Duty of Secretary; Annexes of Convention applicable to seagoing vessels
(b) Duty of the AdministratorIn addition to other duties specified in this chapter, the Administrator and the Secretary, respectively, shall have the following duties and authorities:
(1) The Administrator shall, and no other person may, issue Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificates in accordance with Annex VI and the International Maritime Organization’s Technical Code on Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines, on behalf of the United States for a vessel of the United States as that term is defined in section 116 of title 46. The issuance of Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificates shall be consistent with any applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] or regulations prescribed under that Act.
(2) The Administrator shall have authority to administer regulations 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Annex VI to the Convention.
(3) The Administrator shall, only as specified in section 1907(f) of this title, have authority to enforce Annex VI of the Convention.
(c) Regulations; refuse record books; waste management plans; notification of crew and passengers
(1) The Secretary shall prescribe any necessary or desired regulations to carry out the provisions of the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or this chapter.
(2) In addition to the authority the Secretary has to prescribe regulations under this chapter, the Administrator shall also prescribe any necessary or desired regulations to carry out the provisions of regulations 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Annex VI to the Convention.
(3) In prescribing any regulations under this section, the Secretary and the Administrator shall consult with each other, and with respect to regulation 19, with the Secretary of the Interior.
(4) The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall—
(A) prescribe regulations which—
(i) require certain ships described in section 1902(a)(1) of this title to maintain refuse record books and shipboard management plans, and to display placards which notify the crew and passengers of the requirements of Annex V to the Convention and of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol; and
(ii) specify the ships described in section 1902(a)(1) of this title to which the regulations apply;
(B) seek an international agreement or international agreements which apply requirements equivalent to those described in subparagraph (A)(i) to all vessels subject to Annex V to the Convention; and
(C) within 2 years after the effective date of this paragraph, report to the Congress—
(i) regarding activities of the Secretary under subparagraph (B); and
(ii) if the Secretary has not obtained agreements pursuant to subparagraph (B) regarding the desirability of applying the requirements described in subparagraph (A)(i) to all vessels described in section 1902(a) of this title which call at United States ports.
(5) No standard issued by any person or Federal authority, with respect to emissions from tank vessels subject to regulation 15 of Annex VI to the Convention, shall be effective until 6 months after the required notification to the International Maritime Organization by the Secretary.
(d) Utilization of personnel, facilities, or equipment of other Federal departments and agencies
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 4, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2298; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2107, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(c), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042; Pub. L. 110–280, § 5, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2613.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1903

§ 1904. Certificates
(a) Issuance by authorized designees; restriction on issuance
(b) Validity of foreign certificates
(c) Location onboard vessel; inspection of vessels subject to jurisdiction of the United States
A ship required by the MARPOL Protocol to have a certificate—
(1) shall carry a valid certificate onboard in the manner prescribed by the authority issuing the certificate; and
(2) is subject to inspection while in a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.
(d) Onboard inspections; other Federal inspection authority unaffected
(e) Detention orders; duration of detention; shipyard option
In addition to the penalties prescribed in section 1908 of this title, a ship required by the MARPOL Protocol to have a certificate—
(1) which does not have a valid certificate onboard; or
(2) whose condition or whose equipment’s condition does not substantially agree with the particulars of the certificate onboard;
shall be detained by order of the Secretary at the port or terminal where the violation is discovered until, in the opinion of the Secretary, the ship can proceed to sea without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment or the public health and welfare. The detention order may authorize the ship to proceed to the nearest appropriate available shipyard rather than remaining at the place where the violation was discovered.
(f) Ship clearance; refusal or revocation
(g) Review of detention orders; petition; determination by Secretary
(h) Compensation for loss or damage
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 5, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2298; Pub. L. 110–280, § 6, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2614; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3548(c), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2328.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1904

§ 1905. Pollution reception facilities
(a) Adequacy; criteria
(1) The Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish regulations setting criteria for determining the adequacy of a port’s or terminal’s reception facilities for mixtures containing oil or noxious liquid substances and shall establish procedures whereby a person in charge of a port or terminal may request the Secretary to certify that the port’s or terminal’s facilities for receiving the residues and mixtures containing oil or noxious liquid substance from seagoing ships are adequate.
(2) The Secretary, after consulting with appropriate Federal agencies, shall establish regulations setting criteria for determining the adequacy of reception facilities for garbage at a port or terminal, and stating such additional measures and requirements as are appropriate to ensure such adequacy. Persons in charge of ports and terminals shall provide reception facilities, or ensure that such facilities are available, for receiving garbage in accordance with those regulations.
(3) The Secretary and the Administrator, after consulting with appropriate Federal agencies, shall jointly prescribe regulations setting criteria for determining the adequacy of reception facilities for receiving ozone depleting substances, equipment containing such substances, and exhaust gas cleaning residues at a port or terminal, and stating any additional measures and requirements as are appropriate to ensure such adequacy. Persons in charge of ports and terminals shall provide reception facilities, or ensure that reception facilities are available, in accordance with those regulations. The Secretary and the Administrator may jointly prescribe regulations to certify, and may issue certificates to the effect, that a port’s or terminal’s facilities for receiving ozone depleting substances, equipment containing such substances, and exhaust gas cleaning residues from ships are adequate.
(b) Traffic considerations
(c) Certificate; issuance; validity; inspection; review of suspension or revocation by Secretary
(1) If reception facilities of a port or terminal meet the requirements of Annex I and Annex II to the Convention and the regulations prescribed under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, issue a certificate to that effect to the applicant.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), if reception facilities of a port or terminal meet the requirements of Annex V to the Convention and the regulations prescribed under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may, after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, issue a certificate to that effect to the person in charge of the port or terminal.
(B) The Secretary may not issue a certificate attesting to the adequacy of reception facilities under this paragraph unless, prior to the issuance of the certificate, the Secretary conducts an inspection of the reception facilities of the port or terminal that is the subject of the certificate.
(C) The Secretary may, with respect to certificates issued under this paragraph prior to October 19, 1996, prescribe by regulation differing periods of validity for such certificates.
(3) A certificate issued under this subsection—
(A) is valid for the 5-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the certificate, except that if—
(i) the charge for operation of the port or terminal is transferred to a person or entity other than the person or entity that is the operator on the date of issuance of the certificate—(I) the certificate shall expire on the date that is 30 days after the date of the transfer; and(II) the new operator shall be required to submit an application for a certificate before a certificate may be issued for the port or terminal; or
(ii) the certificate is suspended or revoked by the Secretary, the certificate shall cease to be valid; and
(B) shall be available for inspection upon the request of the master, other person in charge, or agent of a ship using or intending to use the port or terminal.
(4) The suspension or revocation of a certificate issued under this subsection may be appealed to the Secretary and acted on by the Secretary in the manner prescribed by regulation.
(d) Publication of list of certificated ports or terminals
(1) The Secretary shall maintain a list of ports or terminals with respect to which a certificate issued under this section—
(A) is in effect; or
(B) has been revoked or suspended.
(2) The Secretary shall make the list referred to in paragraph (1) available to the general public.
(e) Entry; denial
(1) Except in the case of force majeure, the Secretary shall deny entry to a seagoing ship required by the Convention or the Antarctic Protocol to retain onboard while at sea, residues and mixtures containing oil or noxious liquid substances, if—
(A) the port or terminal is one required by Annexes I and II of the Convention or Article 9 of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol or regulations hereunder to have adequate reception facilities; and
(B) the port or terminal does not hold a valid certificate issued by the Secretary under this section.
(2) The Secretary may deny the entry of a ship to a port or terminal required by the MARPOL Protocol, this chapter, or regulations prescribed under this section relating to the provision of adequate reception facilities for garbage, ozone depleting substances, equipment containing those substances, or exhaust gas cleaning residues, if the port or terminal is not in compliance with the MARPOL Protocol, this chapter, or those regulations.
(f) Surveys
(1) The Secretary and the Administrator are authorized to conduct surveys of existing reception facilities in the United States to determine measures needed to comply with the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol.
(2) Not later than 18 months after October 19, 1996, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations that require the operator of each port or terminal that is subject to any requirement of the MARPOL Protocol relating to reception facilities to post a placard in a location that can easily be seen by port and terminal users. The placard shall state, at a minimum, that a user of a reception facility of the port or terminal should report to the Secretary any inadequacy of the reception facility.
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 6, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2299; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2103, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1461; Pub. L. 101–225, title II, § 201(1), Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1910; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(d), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042; Pub. L. 104–324, title VIII, § 801, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3943; Pub. L. 110–280, § 7, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2614.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1905

§ 1906. Incidents involving ships
(a) Requirement to report incident
(b) Requirement to report discharge, probable discharge, or presence of oil
The master or person in charge of—
(1) a ship of United States registry or nationality, or operated under the authority of the United States, wherever located;
(2) another ship while in the navigable waters of the United States; or
(3) a sea port or oil handling facility subject to the jurisdiction of the United States,
shall report a discharge, probable discharge, or presence of oil in the manner prescribed by Article 4 of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990 (adopted at London, November 30, 1990), in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary for that purpose.
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 7, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2300; Pub. L. 102–241, § 39, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2225.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1906

§ 1907. Violations
(a) General prohibition; cooperation and enforcement; detection and monitoring measures; reports; evidence
(b) Investigations; subpenas: issuance by Secretary, enforcement; action by Secretary; information to party
(c) Ship inspections; reports to Secretary; additional action
(1) This subsection applies to inspections relating to possible violations of Annex I or Annex II to the Convention, of Article 3 or Article 4 of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or of this chapter by any seagoing ship referred to in section 1902(a)(2) of this title.
(2) While at a port or terminal subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, a ship to which the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol applies may be inspected by the Secretary—
(A) to verify whether or not the ship has discharged a harmful substance in violation of the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or this chapter; or
(B) to comply with a request from a party to the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol for an investigation as to whether the ship may have discharged a harmful substance anywhere in violation of the MARPOL Protocol or Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol. An investigation may be undertaken under this clause only when the requesting party has furnished sufficient evidence to allow the Secretary reasonably to believe that a discharge has occurred.
If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a violation has occurred, the investigating officer shall forward a report to the Secretary for appropriate action. The Secretary shall undertake to notify the master of the ship concerned and, acting in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall take any additional action required by Article 6 of the Convention.
(d) Garbage disposal inspections; covered ships; enforcement actions
(1) The Secretary may inspect a ship referred to in section 1902(a)(3) of this title to verify whether the ship has disposed of garbage in violation of Annex V to the Convention, Article 5 of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or this chapter.
(2) If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a violation has occurred, the Secretary may undertake enforcement action under section 1908 of this title.
(e) Harmful substance or garbage disposal inspections; covered ships; enforcement actions
(1) The Secretary may inspect at any time a ship of United States registry or nationality or operating under the authority of the United States to which the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol applies to verify whether the ship has discharged a harmful substance or disposed of garbage in violation of those Protocols or this chapter.
(2) If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a violation of the MARPOL Protocol, of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or of this chapter has occurred the Secretary may undertake enforcement action under section 1908 of this title.
(f) Inspections; enforcement
(1) The Secretary may inspect a ship to which this chapter applies as provided under section 1902(a)(5) of this title, to verify whether the ship is in compliance with Annex VI to the Convention and this chapter.
(2) If an inspection under this subsection or any other information indicates that a violation has occurred, the Secretary, or the Administrator in a matter referred by the Secretary, may undertake enforcement action under this section.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (b) and paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Administrator shall have all of the authorities of the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b) of this section, for the purposes of enforcing regulations 17 and 18 of Annex VI to the Convention to the extent that shoreside violations are the subject of the action and in any other matter referred to the Administrator by the Secretary.
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 8, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2300; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2104, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1462; Pub. L. 101–225, title II, § 201(2), (3), Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1910; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(e), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3043; Pub. L. 110–280, § 8, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2614.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1907

§ 1908. Penalties for violations
(a) Criminal penalties; payment for information leading to conviction
(b) Civil penalties; separate violations; assessment notice; considerations affecting amount; payment for information leading to assessment of penalty
A person who is found by the Secretary, or the Administrator as provided for in this chapter, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to have—
(1) violated the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, this chapter, or the regulations issued thereunder shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, not to exceed $25,000 for each violation; or
(2) made a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any matter in which a statement or representation is required to be made to the Secretary, or the Administrator as provided for in this chapter, under the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, this chapter, or the regulations thereunder, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, not to exceed $5,000 for each statement or representation.
Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The amount of the civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary, or the Administrator as provided for in this chapter or his designee, by written notice. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Secretary, or the Administrator as provided for in this chapter, shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other matters as justice may require. An amount equal to not more than ½ of such penalties may be paid by the Secretary, or the Administrator as provided for in this chapter, to the person giving information leading to the assessment of such penalties.
(c) Abatement of civil penalties; collection by Attorney General
(d) Liability in rem; district court jurisdiction
(e) Ship clearance or permits; refusal or revocation; bond or other surety
(f) Referrals for appropriate action by foreign country
(g) Deposits in Abandoned Seafarers Fund
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 9, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2301; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2105, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1463; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4302(n), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 539; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 688, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2222; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(f), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3043; Pub. L. 110–280, § 10, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2615; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 320(c), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3054.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1908

§ 1909. MARPOL Protocol; proposed amendments
(a) Acceptance of certain amendments by the President
(b) Action on certain amendments by the Secretary of State
(c) Declaration of nonacceptance by the Secretary of State
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 10, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2106, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1463; Pub. L. 110–280, § 9, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2615.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1909

§ 1910. Legal actions
(a) Persons with adversely affected interests as plaintiffs; defendants
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person having an interest which is, or can be, adversely affected, may bring an action on his own behalf—
(1) against any person alleged to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or regulations issued hereunder;
(2) against the Secretary where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this chapter which is not discretionary with the Secretary;
(3) against the Administrator where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under this chapter which is not discretionary; or
(4) against the Secretary of the Treasury where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary of the Treasury to take action under section 1908(e) of this title.
(b) Commencement conditions
No action may be commenced under subsection (a) of this section—
(1) prior to 60 days after the plaintiff has given notice, in writing and under oath, to the alleged violator, the Secretary concerned or the Administrator, and the Attorney General; or
(2) if the Secretary or the Administrator has commenced enforcement or penalty action with respect to the alleged violation and is conducting such procedures diligently.
(c) Venue
Any suit brought under this section shall be brought—
(1) in a case concerning an onshore facility or port, in the United States district court for the judicial district where the onshore facility or port is located;
(2) in a case concerning an offshore facility or offshore structure under the jurisdiction of the United States, in the United States district court for the judicial district nearest the offshore facility or offshore structure;
(3) in a case concerning a ship, in the United States district court for any judicial district wherein the ship or its owner or operator may be found; or
(4) in any case, in the District Court for the District of Columbia.
(d) Costs; attorney fees; witness fees
(e) Federal intervention
(Pub. L. 96–478, § 11, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 110–280, § 12, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2615.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1910

§ 1911. Effect on other laws

Authorities, requirements, and remedies of this chapter supplement and neither amend nor repeal any other authorities, requirements, or remedies conferred by any other provision of law. Nothing in this chapter shall limit, deny, amend, modify, or repeal any other authority, requirement, or remedy available to the United States or any other person, except as expressly provided in this chapter.

(Pub. L. 96–478, § 15, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 110–280, § 11, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2615.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1911

§ 1912. International law

Any action taken under this chapter shall be taken in accordance with international law.

(Pub. L. 96–478, § 17, as added Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2108, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1464.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1912

§ 1913. Compliance reports
(a) In general
(b) Report on inability to comply
Within 3 years after the effective date of this section, the head of each Federal agency that operates or contracts for the operation of any ship referred to in section 3(b)(1)(A) of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. 1902(b)(1)(A)] that may not be able to comply with the requirements of that section shall report to the Congress describing—
(1) the technical and operational impediments to achieving that compliance;
(2) an alternative schedule for achieving that compliance as rapidly as is technologically feasible;
(3) the ships operated or contracted for operation by the agency for which full compliance with section 3(b)(2)(A) [33 U.S.C. 1902(b)(2)(A)] is not technologically feasible; and
(4) any other information which the agency head considers relevant and appropriate.
(c) Congressional action
(Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2201, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1121(c), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 724; Pub. L. 104–324, title VIII, § 802(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3944.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1913

§ 1914. Transferred

CITE AS: 33 USC 1914

§ 1915. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–213, title VI, § 604(d), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1577

CITE AS: 33 USC 1915