US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 3501

Number of passengers

(a)
Each certificate of inspection issued to a vessel carrying passengers (except a ferry) shall include a statement on the number of passengers that the vessel is permitted to carry.
(b)
The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel is liable to a person suing them for carrying more passengers than the number of passengers permitted by the certificate of inspection in an amount equal to—
(1)
passage money; and
(2)
$100 for each passenger in excess of the number of passengers permitted.
(c)
An owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel that knowingly carries more passengers than the number of passengers permitted by the certificate of inspection also shall be fined not more than $100, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both.
(d)
The vessel also is liable in rem for a penalty under this section.
(e)
An offshore supply vessel may not carry passengers except in an emergency.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 519 Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(2)99 Stat. 67 (, , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

3501

46:404–1

46:451

46:452

46:462

Section 3501 requires that a vessel carrying passengers, including a passenger vessel as well as a small passenger vessel (except a ferry), shall have on the certificate of inspection a statement as to the number of passengers the vessel is permitted to carry. It also provides penalties for carrying passengers in excess of the number permitted.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(2)(A)1985—Subsec. (a). , struck out the comma after “(except a ferry)”.

Pub. L. 99–36, § 1(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (c). , substituted “carries more passengers than the number of passengers permitted by the certificate of inspection” for “violates subsection (b) of this section”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 2(g)(1) of Pub. L. 98–89section 3101 of this titleChapter effective , see , set out as a note under .