Federal · Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

33 U.S.C. § 555: Duty of shipowners and officers to furnish information required by Secretary of the Army

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Ship owners and operators must provide vessel and cargo information to the Secretary of the Army when requested. Failure to comply is punishable by fine up to $5,000 and/or up to two months imprisonment, plus potential civil penalties.

Read the full statutory text
Owners, agents, masters, and clerks of vessels and other craft plying upon the navigable waters of the United States, and all individuals and corporations engaged in transporting their own goods upon the navigable waters of the United States, shall furnish such statements relative to vessels, passengers, freight, and tonnage as may be required by the Secretary of the Army: Provided , That this provision shall not apply to those rafting logs except upon a direct request upon the owner to furnish specific information. Every person or persons offending against the provisions of this section shall, for each and every offense, be liable to a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment not exceeding two months, to be enforced in any district court in the United States within whose territorial jurisdiction such offense may have been committed. In addition, the Secretary may assess a civil penalty of up to $2,500, per violation, against any person or entity that fails to provide timely, accurate statements required to be submitted pursuant to this section by the Secretary.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.