46 USC § 80303 - Speed of vessel in ice region

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s80303"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 80303 - Speed of vessel in ice region"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "80303"
section_name: "Speed of vessel in ice region"
chapter_number: 803
chapter_name: "ICE AND DERELICTS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 11, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1693.)"
---


# § 80303. Speed of vessel in ice region

**(a)** **Requirement.—** The master of a vessel of the United States, when ice is reported on or near the vessel’s course, shall proceed at a moderate speed or change the course of the vessel to go well clear of the danger zone.

**(b)** **Civil Penalty.—** A master violating this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $500.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 11, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1693.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 80303 | 46 App.:738c. | June 25, 1936, ch. 807, § 4, 49 Stat. 1923. |

In subsection (b), the words “liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty” are substituted for “liable to a fine” for clarity and for consistency in the revised title. The words “for each offense” are omitted as unnecessary.