
      The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction
    over all offenses against this chapter and of all suits of a civil
    nature arising thereunder, whether the infraction complained of
    shall have been committed within the territorial waters of the
    United States or on board a vessel of the United States outside of
    said waters. From the decrees and judgments of the district courts
    in actions and suits arising under this chapter appeals shall be
    allowed as provided by law in other cases. Criminal actions and
    proceedings for a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall
    be commenced and prosecuted in the district court for the district
    within which the offense was committed, and when not committed
    within any judicial district, then in the district court for the
    district within which the offender may be found; and suits of a
    civil nature may be commenced in the district court for any
    district within which the defendant may be found and shall be
    served with process.

Last modified: June 19, 2006