46 U.S.C. § 55112: Vessel escort operations and towing assistance

Operations that commence or terminate at a port or place in the United States. Operations required by United States law or regulation. Operations provided in whole or in part within or through navigation facilities owned, maintained, or operated by the United States Government or the approaches to those facilities, other than facilities operated by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation on the St. Lawrence River portion of the Seaway. any vessel that is assigned and dedicated to assist another vessel, whether or not tethered to that vessel, solely as a safety precaution to assist in controlling the speed or course of the assisted vessel in the event of a steering or propulsion equipment failure, or any other similar emergency circumstance, or in restricted waters where additional assistance in maneuvering the vessel is required to ensure its safe operation; and in the case of a vessel being towed under section 55111 of this title , any vessel that is assigned and dedicated to the vessel being towed in addition to any towing vessel required under that section. This section does not affect section 55111 of this title . A person violating this section is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.