33 CFR 6.04-7: Captain of the Port inspection, search, and removal
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lets the Captain of the Port inspect and search vessels, waterfront facilities, and security zones at any time. The Captain of the Port may also place guards and remove persons, articles, or things not specifically authorized to be there. All of this is done as consistent with law.
Applies toThe text gives the Captain of the Port these powers over any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone, and any person, article, or thing on or in them, within the jurisdiction of the United States.
What it says
The Captain of the Port may inspect and search, at any time, any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone within the jurisdiction of the United States, as consistent with law.
“As consistent with law, the Captain of the Port may cause to be inspected and searched at any time any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone”
The inspection and search power also covers any person, article, or thing, including any data, information, network, program, system, or other digital infrastructure on or in them.
“or any person, article, or thing, including any data, information, network, program, system, or other digital infrastructure thereon or therein”
The Captain of the Port may place guards on any such vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone.
“may place guards upon any such vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone”
The Captain of the Port may remove any and all persons, articles, or things, including digital infrastructure, that the Captain of the Port has not specifically authorized to go or remain there.
“may remove therefrom any and all persons, articles, or things, including any data, information, network, program, system, or other digital infrastructure, not specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port to go or remain thereon or therein.”
Common questions
Can the Captain of the Port search a vessel at any time?
Yes. As consistent with law, the Captain of the Port may have any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone inspected and searched at any time.
“the Captain of the Port may cause to be inspected and searched at any time any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone”
Can the Captain of the Port place guards on a vessel or waterfront facility?
Yes. The Captain of the Port may place guards on any such vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone.
“may place guards upon any such vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone”
Who can the Captain of the Port remove from a vessel or facility?
The Captain of the Port may remove any persons, articles, or things, including digital infrastructure, that the Captain of the Port has not specifically authorized to go or remain there.
“not specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port to go or remain thereon or therein.”
The text of 33 CFR 6.04-7
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Visitation, search, and removal
As consistent with law, the Captain of the Port may cause to be inspected and searched at any time any vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone, or any person, article, or thing, including any data, information, network, program, system, or other digital infrastructure thereon or therein, within the jurisdiction of the United States, may place guards upon any such vessel, waterfront facility, or security zone and may remove therefrom any and all persons, articles, or things, including any data, information, network, program, system, or other digital infrastructure, not specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port to go or remain thereon or therein.
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.