U.S. Code > Title 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters > CHAPTER 28—POLLUTION CASUALTIES ON THE HIGH SEAS: UNITED STATES INTERVENTION (§§ 1471—1487) > § 1481. Violations; penalties

§ 1481. Violations; penalties

(a) A person commits a class A misdemeanor if that person—
(1) willfully violates a provision of this chapter or a regulation issued thereunder; or
(2) willfully refuses or fails to comply with any lawful order or direction given pursuant to this chapter; or
(3) willfully obstructs any person who is acting in compliance with an order or direction under this chapter.
(b) In a criminal proceeding for an offense under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section it shall be a defense for the accused to prove that he used all due diligence to comply with any order or direction that he had reasonable cause to believe that compliance would have resulted in serious risk to human life.