46 U.S.C. § 3102 — Immersion suits

(a) By regulation, the Secretary must require immersion suits on vessels the Secretary designates that operate in the Atlantic Ocean north of 32° North latitude or south of 32° South latitude, and in all other waters north of 35° North or south of 35° South. The Secretary may not leave a vessel^* undesignated only because it carries other lifesaving equipment. (b) The Secretary must set standards for required immersion suits, including adequate thermal protection, buoyancy, and flotation stability. (c)(1) The vessel’s owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or person in charge who violates this section or a regulation under it is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of up to $5,000. The vessel itself is also liable in rem for the penalty. (2) That owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or person in charge may be fined up to $25,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both.