46 U.S.C. § 3718 — Penalties

(a)(1) A person who violates this chapter or a regulation made under it owes the United States Government a civil penalty of up to $25,000. Each day that a continuing violation lasts counts as a separate violation. (2) Each vessel^* covered by this chapter that is operated in violation of the chapter or such a regulation is liable in rem for a civil penalty under this subsection. This section does not define the quoted legal term “in rem.”

(b) A person who willfully and knowingly violates this chapter or such a regulation commits a class D felony.

(c) Instead of the subsection (b) penalty, a person who willfully and knowingly violates this chapter or such a regulation and uses a dangerous weapon, or engages in conduct that causes bodily injury or fear of imminent bodily injury to an official authorized to enforce this chapter or regulation, commits a class C felony. This section does not define the quoted term “dangerous weapon.”

(d) United States district courts have jurisdiction to restrain a violation of this chapter or a regulation made under it.

(e)(1) If a vessel’s owner, operator, or person in charge owes a penalty or fine under this section, or if there is reasonable cause to believe that one of them may owe one, the Secretary of Homeland Security must, at the Secretary’s request, refuse or revoke any clearance required by section 60105 of this title for that vessel. (2) The Secretary may grant the refused or revoked clearance or permit after the person files a bond or other security satisfactory to the Secretary.