Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 2.djvu/1145

 PUBLIC LAW 98-498—OCT. 19, 1984

98 STAT. 2305

directions and requirements for obtaining an inspection under this part; and "(C) the Secretary believes that unforeseen circumstances exist so that it is not feasible to conduct a scheduled inspection before the expiration of the certificate of inspection. "(k) The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel failing to comply with a direction issued by the Secretary under section 3311(b) of this title is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day during which the violation occurs. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty. "(1) A person committing an act described by subsections (b)-(f) of this section is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000. If the violation involves the operation of a vessel, the vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.". SEC. 212. (a) Chapter 23 of title 46, United States Code is amended as follows: (1) At the end of the chapter analysis, add the following: "2306. Vessel reporting requirements.".

(2) In section 2301, strike "This chapter" and substitute "Except as provided in section 2306 of this title, this chapter". (3) Add at the end the following: "§ 2306. Vessel reporting requirements 46 USC 2306. "(a)(1) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel of the United States, having reason to believe (because of lack of communication with or nonappearance of a vessel or any other incident) that the vessel may have been lost or imperiled, immediately shall— "(A) notify the Coast Guard; and "(B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel. "(2) When more than 48 hours have passed since the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel required to report to the United States Flag Merchant Vessel Location Filing System under authority of section 212(A) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1122a), has received a communication from the vessel, the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent immediately shall— "(A) notify the Coast Guard; and "(B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel. "(3) A person notifying the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection shall provide the name and identification number of the vessel, the names of individuals on board, and other information that may be requested by the Coast Guard. The owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent also shall submit written confirmation to the Coast Guard within 24 hours after nonwritten notification to the Coast Guard under those paragraphs. "(4) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent violating this subsection is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each day during which the violation occurs. "(b)(1) The master of a vessel of the United States required to report to the System shall report to the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent at least once every 48 hours.

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