33 CFR 151.04: Penalties for MARPOL and pollution violations
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the penalties for violating MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart. It covers civil penalties, penalties for false statements to the Coast Guard, and felony liability for knowing violations. It also makes a ship liable in rem.
Applies toA person who violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart, and a ship operated in violation of them.
What it says
A person who violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(1).
33 CFR 151.04(a)“A person who violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(1).”
Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation.
33 CFR 151.04(a)“Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.”
A person who makes a false, fictitious statement or fraudulent representation in any matter where one is required to be made to the Coast Guard under MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable for a civil penalty for each statement or representation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(2).
33 CFR 151.04(b)“is liable for a civil penalty for each statement or representation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(2).”
A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits a class D felony, as described in 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.
33 CFR 151.04(c)“A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits a class D felony, as described in 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.”
In the discretion of the Court, an amount equal to not more than one-half of the fine may be paid to the person giving information leading to conviction.
33 CFR 151.04(c)“In the discretion of the Court, an amount equal to not more than one-half of the fine may be paid to the person giving information leading to conviction.”
A ship operated in violation of MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable in rem for civil penalties under paragraph (a) or (b) or fines under paragraph (c), and may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any district in which the ship may be found.
33 CFR 151.04(d)“may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any district in which the ship may be found.”
Common questions
Is each day of a pollution violation counted separately?
Yes. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation.
“Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.”
What is the penalty for knowingly violating MARPOL 73/78 rules?
A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits a class D felony.
“A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits a class D felony, as described in 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.”
Can a ship be held liable for MARPOL violations?
Yes. A ship operated in violation is liable in rem for the civil penalties and fines covered by this section. It may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any district where it is found.
“may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any district in which the ship may be found.”
The text of 33 CFR 151.04
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Penalties for violation
(a) A person who violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(1). Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.
(b) A person who makes a false, fictitious statement or fraudulent representation in any matter in which a statement or representation is required to be made to the Coast Guard under MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart, is liable for a civil penalty for each statement or representation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(2).
(c) A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits a class D felony, as described in 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq. In the discretion of the Court, an amount equal to not more than one-half of the fine may be paid to the person giving information leading to conviction.
(d) A ship operated in violation of MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable in rem for any civil penalty covered by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, or any fine covered by paragraph (c) of this section, and may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any district in which the ship may be found.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.