33 USC § 1474 - Federal intervention actions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s1474"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 1474 - Federal intervention actions"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "1474"
section_name: "Federal intervention actions"
chapter_number: 28
chapter_name: "POLLUTION CASUALTIES ON THE HIGH SEAS: UNITED STATES INTERVENTION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 93–248, § 5, Feb. 5, 1974, 88 Stat. 9.)"
---


# § 1474. Federal intervention actions

Upon a determination under section 1472 of this title of a grave and imminent danger to the coastline or related interests of the United States, the Secretary may—

**(1)** coordinate and direct all public and private efforts directed at the removal or elimination of the threatened pollution damage;

**(2)** directly or indirectly undertake the whole or any part of any salvage or other action he could require or direct under subsection (1) of this section; and

**(3)** remove, and, if necessary, destroy the ship and cargo which is the source of the danger.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 93–248, § 5, Feb. 5, 1974, 88 Stat. 9.)