33 USC § 3853 - Liability in rem

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s3853"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 3853 - Liability in rem"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "3853"
section_name: "Liability in rem"
chapter_number: 51
chapter_name: "CLEAN HULLS"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "ACTION ON VIOLATION, PENALTIES, AND REFERRALS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1043, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(20), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3571.)"
---


# § 3853. Liability in rem

section 3852 of this title

A vessel operated in violation of the Convention, this chapter, or any regulation prescribed under this chapter, is liable in rem for any fine imposed under title 18 or civil penalty assessed pursuant to , and may be proceeded against in the United States district court of any district in which the vessel may be found.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1043, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(20), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3571.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of , , , which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.

### Amendments

2010— substituted “under title 18” for “under section 18”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

, , , provided that the amendment made by section 1(20) is effective with the enactment of .