(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) 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 section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title 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. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 548; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(10), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 448; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 726, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3939.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code)
810246:47046:471
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
Amendments1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons”.
1984—Pub. L. 98–364 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).