| Reward | Up to 50% of criminal fine |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Coast Guard / DOJ; awards granted by federal courts |
| Legal authority | 33 U.S.C. § 1908(a) (Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships) |
| Fraud covered | Environmental & wildlife |
| Eligibility / shares | Criminal conviction with a fine; award up to 50% at the sentencing court's discretion. |
| Anonymous filing | No — No formal anonymity mechanism; identity typically becomes known to prosecutors, protected practically during investigation. |
| Attorney | Optional. Not required; maritime whistleblower counsel typical since awards are argued at sentencing. |
| Status | Active — DOJ regularly prosecutes shipping companies. Mostly benefits crew members. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive Up to 50% of criminal fine.
- Administered by U.S. Coast Guard / DOJ; awards granted by federal courts.
- No formal anonymity mechanism; identity typically becomes known to prosecutors, protected practically during investigation.
- You can file this one yourself — no attorney required.
- Criminal conviction with a fine; award up to 50% at the sentencing court's discretion.
How to report and claim your reward
- Report to the U.S. Coast Guard at any port or via its hotline, or to DOJ
- Evidence like photos/video of bypass 'magic pipes' and falsified Oil Record Books is decisive
- The award is requested from the sentencing judge after conviction
Track record
~$33M awarded to 205 whistleblowers across 100 prosecutions (1993–2017); average award 28.8% of fines; whistleblowers drove 76% of successful cases.
Good to know
One of the highest reward ceilings of any program — up to half the criminal fine — but entirely at the court's discretion.
Anonymity: No formal anonymity mechanism; identity typically becomes known to prosecutors, protected practically during investigation.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
Not strictly required here — not required; maritime whistleblower counsel typical since awards are argued at sentencing.
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.