🔍 Key Concepts

• 46 U.S.C. provisions dealing specifically with reporting requirements for sexual offenses on documented vessels • The difference between criminal penalties (like imprisonment) and civil penalties (like fines) under federal law • Whether Congress sometimes allows multiple types of penalties for a single violation

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: does the relevant 46 U.S.C. section mention only one type of penalty, or does it list several possible consequences? • Consider whether failing to report a sexual offense is treated more like a paperwork/administrative violation or like obstruction/cover‑up of a serious crime. • Think about how seriously federal law treats failure to act when safety or serious crimes at sea are involved—does it usually attach just a small fine, or something more?

✅ Before You Answer

• Look up the exact wording of the penalty clause in the applicable 46 U.S.C. section and note every type of punishment listed. • Verify if both fine and imprisonment are mentioned together, and whether the statute uses the word "or" or "and/or" between them. • Confirm the maximum term of imprisonment and the maximum fine amount specified in that section before choosing an answer.