
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC2304]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
                       Part A--General Provisions
 
               CHAPTER 23--OPERATION OF VESSELS GENERALLY
 
Sec. 2304. Duty to provide assistance at sea

    (a) A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render 
assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so 
far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious 
danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board.
    (b) A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not 
more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 509.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2304..............................  46:728
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 2304 requires a master or individual in charge of a vessel 
to render assistance to those in danger at sea if able to do so without 
seriously endangering the vessel or crew.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 3304 of this title; section 
731 of Appendix to this title.
