§2237 Criminal sanctions for failure to heave to, obstruction of boarding, or providing false information

Summary

Makes it a crime for the captain, operator, or anyone on a U.S. vessel or a vessel under U.S. control to knowingly refuse a lawful federal officer’s order to slow or stop the ship, to physically resist or block a lawful boarding or arrest, or to lie to officers about the ship’s origin, destination, ownership, registration, nationality, cargo, or crew. A person who knowingly does these things can be fined or jailed for up to 5 years. If the act causes death or involves an attempt to kill, kidnapping, or the offense in section 2241, the sentence can be any number of years or life. If it causes serious bodily injury, the jail term can be up to 15 years. If it involves knowingly transporting people in inhumane conditions during certain immigration or smuggling crimes, the jail term can be up to 15 years. This law does not stop customs or other federal officials from ordering a vessel to stop under other laws. A foreign country can give permission by radio, phone, or similar means, and that permission can be certified by the Secretary of State. Defined terms: Federal law enforcement officer — as defined elsewhere in law; heave to — slow, stop, or change course to allow boarding; vessel of the United States and vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction — defined in title 46; transportation under inhumane conditions — moving people in engine or storage compartments or other cramped spaces, at excessive speed, with more people than the vessel’s capacity, or intentionally grounding the vessel.