33 CFR 151.1518: Penalties for ballast water management violations
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets penalties for violating this subpart. A civil penalty may not exceed $27,500, and each day of a continuing violation counts separately. A knowing violation is a class C felony.
Applies toA person who violates this subpart, and a vessel operated in violation of the regulations.
What it says
A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $27,500.
33 CFR 151.1518(a)“A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $27,500.”
Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation.
33 CFR 151.1518(a)“Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.”
A vessel operated in violation of the regulations is liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed under this subpart for that violation.
33 CFR 151.1518(a)“A vessel operated in violation of the regulations is liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed under this subpart for that violation.”
A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony.
33 CFR 151.1518(b)“A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony.”
Common questions
What is the maximum civil penalty for a ballast water management violation?
A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $27,500.
“A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $27,500.”
Does each day of a ballast water violation count 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 the ballast water regulations?
A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony.
“A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony.”
The text of 33 CFR 151.1518
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Penalties for failure to conduct ballast water management
(a) A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $27,500. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation. A vessel operated in violation of the regulations is liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed under this subpart for that violation.
(b) A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony.
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.