33 USC § 3855 - Warnings, detentions, dismissals, exclusion

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s3855"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 3855 - Warnings, detentions, dismissals, exclusion"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "3855"
section_name: "Warnings, detentions, dismissals, exclusion"
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, § 1045, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031.)"
---


# § 3855. Warnings, detentions, dismissals, exclusion

**(a)** **In general** If a vessel is detected to be in violation of the Convention, this chapter, or any regulation prescribed under this chapter, the Secretary may warn, detain, dismiss, or exclude the vessel from any port or offshore terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.

**(b)** **Notifications** If action is taken under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall make the notifications required by the Convention.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 111–281, title X, § 1045, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3031.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this title”, meaning title X of , , , which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§ 2401 et seq.)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.