Federal · Title 46 — Shipping

46 U.S.C. § 3501: Number of passengers

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A vessel owner or operator who knowingly carries more passengers than permitted by inspection certificate may be fined up to $100, imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. Offshore supply vessels cannot carry passengers except in emergencies.

Read the full statutory text

Each certificate of inspection issued to a vessel carrying passengers (except a ferry) shall include a statement on the number of passengers that the vessel is permitted to carry. passage money; and $100 for each passenger in excess of the number of passengers permitted. An owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel that knowingly carries more passengers than the number of passengers permitted by the certificate of inspection also shall be fined not more than $100, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both. The vessel also is liable in rem for a penalty under this section. An offshore supply vessel may not carry passengers except in an emergency.

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.