Chapter 7.— MARINE CASUALTIES 



SUBCHAPTER 7A.— GENERAL PROVISIONS 



Duty of master of vessel in collision to give aid, name of his 

 vessel, etc. 



33 U.S.C. 367 



In every case of collision between two vessels it shall be the duty of 

 the master or person in charge of each vessel, if and so far as he can 

 do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers 

 (if any), to stay by the other vessel until he has ascertained that she 

 has no need of further assistance, and to render to the other vessel, her 

 master, crew, and passengers (if any) such assistance as may be prac- 

 ticable and as may be necessary' in order to save them from any danger 

 caused by the collision, and also to give to the master or person in 

 charge of the other vessel the name of his own vessel and her port of 

 registry, or the port or place to which she belongs, and also the name 

 of the ports and places from which and to which she is bound. If he 

 fails so to do, and no reasonable cause for such failure is shown, the 

 collision shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to 

 have been caused by his wrongful act, neglect, or default. (Sept. 4, 

 1890, ch. 875, § 1, 26 Stat. 425.) 



Penalty for failure to give aid, etc. 



33 U.S.C. 368 



Every master or person in charge of a United States vessel who fails, 

 without reasonable cause, to render such assistance or give such infor- 

 mation as required in section 867 of this title shall be deemed guilty 

 of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to a penalty of $1,000, or im- 

 prisonment for a term not exceeding two years; and for the above sum 

 the vessel shall be liable and may be seized and proceeded against by 

 process in any district court of the United States by any person ; one 

 half such sum to be payable to the informer and the other half to the 

 United States. ( Sept. 4, 1890, ch. 875, § 2, 26 Stat. 425.) 



Reckless or negligent operation of vessels ; prohibition ; accident 

 assistance, information and report 



46 U.S.C. 526L 



( a) No person shall operate any motorboat or any vessel in a reckless 

 or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of 

 any person. To "operate"' means to navigate or otherwise use a motor- 

 boat or a vessel. 



(b) In the case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a 

 motorboat or other vessel subject to this subchapter, it shall be the 

 duty of the operator, if and so far as he can do so without serious 

 danger to his own vessel, or persons aboard, to render such assistance 



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