46 CFR § 221.71 - Hearing Officer referral.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s221.71"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 221.71 - Hearing Officer referral."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "221.71"
section_name: "Hearing Officer referral."
chapter_name: "MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS AFFECTING MARITIME CARRIERS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES"
part_number: "221"
part_name: "REGULATED TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DOCUMENTED VESSELS AND OTHER MARITIME INTERESTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. chs. 301, 313, and 561; Pub. L. 114-74; 49 CFR 1.93."
regulatory_source: "57 FR 23478, June 3, 1992, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "221"
---


# 221.71 Hearing Officer referral.

If, pursuant to § 221.67(b)(2) of this subpart, a Party elects to have the matter referred to a Hearing Officer, the Vessel Transfer Officer may—

(a) Decide not to proceed with penalty action, close the case, and notify the Party in writing that the case has been closed; or

(b) Refer the matter to a Hearing Officer with the case file and a record of any prior violations by the Party.