US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 8102

Watchmen

(a)
The owner, charterer, or managing operator of a vessel carrying passengers during the nighttime shall keep a suitable number of watchmen in the vicinity of the cabins or staterooms and on each deck to guard against and give alarm in case of a fire or other danger. An owner, charterer, or managing operator failing to provide watchmen required by this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $1,000.
(b)
section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a fish processing vessel of more than 100 gross tons as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under shall keep a suitable number of watchmen trained in firefighting on board when hotwork is being done to guard against and give alarm in case of a fire.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 548Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(10)98 Stat. 448Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 726110 Stat. 3939(, , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

8102

46:470

46:471

Section 8102 requires the person responsible for the management of a vessel carrying passengers to have a suitable watch at night to guard against, and to sound an alarm in case of fire or other danger, or be liable for a civil penalty.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 104–324section 14502 of this titlesection 14302 of this titlesection 14104 of this title1996—Subsec. (b). inserted “as measured under , or an alternate tonnage measured under as prescribed by the Secretary under ” after “100 gross tons”.

Pub. L. 98–3641984— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).