Federal · Title 46 — Shipping

46 U.S.C. § 12133: Duty to carry certificate on vessel and allow examination

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Vessel owners must carry documentation certificates on board and produce them for inspection when requested by enforcement officers. Willful violation is punishable by fine, imprisonment up to one year, or both.

Read the full statutory text

The certificate of documentation of a vessel shall be carried on the vessel unless the vessel is exempt by regulation from carrying the certificate. The owner or individual in charge of a vessel required to carry its certificate of documentation shall make the certificate available for examination at the request of an officer enforcing the revenue laws or as otherwise required by law or regulation. A person willfully violating subsection (b) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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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.