33 USC § 2609 - Penalties

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s2609"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 2609 - Penalties"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "2609"
section_name: "Penalties"
chapter_number: 39
chapter_name: "SHORE PROTECTION FROM MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "SHORE PROTECTION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 100–688, title IV, § 4109, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4158.)"
---


# § 2609. Penalties

**(a)** **General penalty** Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person violating this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. A vessel involved in the violation also is liable in rem for the penalty.

**(b)** **Operating without a permit** section 2602 of this title

A person violating  is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. A vessel involved in the violation also is liable in rem for the penalty.

**(c)** **Criminal penalty** Any person that knowingly violates, or that knowingly aids, abets, authorizes, or instigates a violation of this chapter, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both.

**(d)** **Payments for information** The court, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Administrator, as the case may be, may pay up to one-half of a fine or penalty to any person giving information leading to the assessment of the fine or penalty.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 100–688, title IV, § 4109, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4158.)