§ 2306. Vessel reporting requirements

• (a)
  • (1) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel of the United States, having reason to believe (because of lack of communication with or nonappearance of a vessel or any other incident) that the vessel may have been lost or imperiled, immediately shall—
    • (A) notify the Coast Guard; and
    • (B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel.
  • (2) When more than 48 hours have passed since the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel required to report to the United States Flag Merchant Vessel Location Filing System under authority of section 50113 of this title has received a communication from the vessel, the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent immediately shall—
    • (A) notify the Coast Guard; and
    • (B) use all available means to determine the status of the vessel.
  • (3) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel of the United States notifying the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or (2) shall—
    • (A) provide the name and identification number of the vessel, the names of individuals on board, and other information that may be requested by the Coast Guard; and
    • (B) submit written confirmation to the Coast Guard within 24 hours after nonwritten notification to the Coast Guard under such paragraphs.
  • (4) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent violating this subsection is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.
• (b)
  • (1) The master of a vessel of the United States required to report to the System shall report to the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent at least once every 48 hours.
  • (2) A master violating this subsection is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each day during which the violation occurs.
• (c) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out this section.