TITLE 33 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

33 USC 2071 - Inland navigation rules

The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue inland navigation regulations applicable to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States and technical annexes that are as consistent as possible with the respective annexes to the International Regulations.

33 USC 2072 - Violations of Inland Navigational Rules

(a) Liability of operator for civil penalty 
Whoever operates a vessel in violation of this chapter, or of any regulation issued thereunder, or in violation of a certificate of alternative compliance issued under Rule 1 is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation.
(b) Liability of vessel for civil penalty; seizure of vessel 
Every vessel subject to this chapter, other than a public vessel being used for noncommercial purposes, that is operated in violation of this chapter, or of any regulation issued thereunder, or in violation of a certificate of alternative compliance issued under Rule 1 is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation, for which penalty the vessel may be seized and proceeded against in the district court of the United States of any district within which the vessel may be found.
(c) Assessment of civil penalty by Secretary; collection 
The Secretary may assess any civil penalty authorized by this section. No such penalty may be assessed until the person charged, or the owner of the vessel charged, as appropriate, shall have been given notice of the violation involved and an opportunity for a hearing. For good cause shown, the Secretary may remit, mitigate, or compromise any penalty assessed. Upon the failure of the person charged, or the owner of the vessel charged, to pay an assessed penalty, as it may have been mitigated or compromised, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to commence an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for collection of the penalty as assessed, without regard to the amount involved, together with such other relief as may be appropriate.
(d) Withholding of clearance 

(1) If any owner, operator, or individual in charge of a vessel is liable for a penalty under this section, or if reasonable cause exists to believe that the owner, operator, or individual in charge may be subject to a penalty under this section, the Secretary of the Treasury, upon the request of the Secretary, shall with respect to such vessel refuse or revoke any clearance required by section 60105 of title 46.
(2) Clearance or a permit refused or revoked under this subsection may be granted upon filing of a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary.

33 USC 2073 - Navigation Safety Advisory Council

(a) Establishment; membership; Council panels; publication in Federal Register 
The Secretary shall establish a Navigation Safety Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) not exceeding 21 members. To assure balanced representation, members shall be chosen, insofar as practical, from the following groups:
(1)  recognized experts and leaders in organizations having an active interest in the Rules of the Road and vessel and port safety,
(2)  representatives of owners and operators of vessels, professional mariners, recreational boaters, and the recreational boating industry,
(3)  individuals with an interest in maritime law, and
(4)  Federal and State officials with responsibility for vessel and port safety. Additional persons may be appointed to panels of the Council to assist the Council in the performance of its functions. The Secretary shall, not less often than once a year, publish notice in the Federal Register for solicitation of nominations for membership on the Council.
(b) Functions and purpose of Council 
The Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to the prevention of collisions, rammings, and groundings, including the Inland Rules of the Road, the International Rules of the Road, navigation regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving safety, and aids to navigation systems. Any advice or recommendation made by the Council to the Secretary shall reflect the independent judgment of the Council on the matter concerned. The Council shall meet at the call of the Secretary, but in any event not less than twice during each calendar year. All proceedings of the Council shall be public, and a record of the proceedings shall be made available for public inspection.
(c) Executive secretary; staff; travel expenses and status of members 
The Secretary shall furnish to the Council an executive secretary and such secretarial, clerical, and other services as are deemed necessary for the conduct of its business. Members of the Council, while away from their home or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5. Payments under this section shall not render members of the Council officers or employees of the United States for any purpose.
(d) Termination of Council 
Unless extended by subsequent Act of Congress, the Council shall terminate on September 30, 2010.