(a) The penalty for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a fine not to exceed $1,000. Such penalty shall constitute a lien against the vessel, and libel suits may be instituted by an enforcement officer in the Superior Court of the judicial division in which the violation occurred. Each violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a separate and distinct offense. Upon repeated violations of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Collector of Customs may, in his discretion, suspend the licenses of the vessel and/or the license of the operator for such period of time as he deems proper.
(b) All penalties provided for in this section shall be assessed and collected by the enforcement officers of the Collector of Customs and all monies so collected, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be deposited to the credit of the general funds of the treasury of the Virgin Islands. The Governor of the Virgin Islands may, upon petition within sixty days after the penalty has been assessed, remit or mitigate any such penalty.