Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 33 : Section 1907


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1907. Violations

    (a) General prohibition; cooperation and enforcement; detection and
      monitoring measures; reports; evidence
      It is unlawful to act in violation of the MARPOL Protocol, Annex
    IV to the Antarctic Protocol, this chapter, or the regulations
    issued thereunder. The Secretary shall cooperate with other parties
    to the MARPOL Protocol or to the Antarctic Protocol in the
    detection of violations and in enforcement of the MARPOL Protocol
    and Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol. The Secretary shall use all
    appropriate and practical measures of detection and environmental
    monitoring, and shall establish adequate procedures for reporting
    violations and accumulating evidence.
    (b) Investigations; subpenas: issuance by Secretary, enforcement;
      action by Secretary; information to party
      Upon receipt of evidence that a violation has occurred, the
    Secretary shall cause the matter to be investigated. In any
    investigation under this section the Secretary may issue subpenas
    to require the attendance of any witness and the production of
    documents and other evidence. In case of refusal to obey a subpena
    issued to any person, the Secretary may request the Attorney
    General to invoke the aid of the appropriate district court of the
    United States to compel compliance. Upon completion of the
    investigation, the Secretary shall take the action required by the
    MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol and whatever further
    action he considers appropriate under the circumstances. If the
    initial evidence was provided by a party to the MARPOL Protocol or
    the Antarctic Protocol, the Secretary, acting through the Secretary
    of State, shall inform that party of the action taken or proposed.
    (c) Ship inspections; reports to Secretary; additional action
      (1) This subsection applies to inspections relating to possible
    violations of Annex I or Annex II to the Convention, of Article 3
    or Article 4 of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or of this
    chapter by any seagoing ship referred to in section 1902(a)(2) of
    this title.
      (2) While at a port or terminal subject to the jurisdiction of
    the United States, a ship to which the MARPOL Protocol or the
    Antarctic Protocol applies may be inspected by the Secretary - 
        (A) to verify whether or not the ship has discharged a harmful
      substance in violation of the MARPOL Protocol, Annex IV to the
      Antarctic Protocol, or this chapter; or
        (B) to comply with a request from a party to the MARPOL
      Protocol or the Antarctic Protocol for an investigation as to
      whether the ship may have discharged a harmful substance anywhere
      in violation of the MARPOL Protocol or Annex IV to the Antarctic
      Protocol. An investigation may be undertaken under this clause
      only when the requesting party has furnished sufficient evidence
      to allow the Secretary reasonably to believe that a discharge has
      occurred.

    If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a violation
    has occurred, the investigating officer shall forward a report to
    the Secretary for appropriate action. The Secretary shall undertake
    to notify the master of the ship concerned and, acting in
    coordination with the Secretary of State, shall take any additional
    action required by Article 6 of the Convention.
    (d) Garbage disposal inspections; covered ships; enforcement
      actions
      (1) The Secretary may inspect a ship referred to in section
    1902(a)(3) of this title to verify whether the ship has disposed of
    garbage in violation of Annex V to the Convention, Article 5 of
    Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol, or this chapter.
      (2) If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a
    violation has occurred, the Secretary may undertake enforcement
    action under section 1908 of this title.
    (e) Harmful substance or garbage disposal inspections; covered
      ships; enforcement actions
      (1) The Secretary may inspect at any time a ship of United States
    registry or nationality or operating under the authority of the
    United States to which the MARPOL Protocol or the Antarctic
    Protocol applies to verify whether the ship has discharged a
    harmful substance or disposed of garbage in violation of those
    Protocols or this chapter.
      (2) If an inspection under this subsection indicates that a
    violation of the MARPOL Protocol, of Annex IV to the Antarctic
    Protocol, or of this chapter has occurred the Secretary may
    undertake enforcement action under section 1908 of this title.
    (f) Supplemental remedies and requirements; other provisions and
      available remedies unaffected
      Remedies and requirements of this chapter supplement and neither
    amend nor repeal any other provisions of law, except as expressly
    provided in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall limit,
    deny, amend, modify, or repeal any other remedy available to the
    United States or any other person, except as expressly provided in
    this chapter.



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