Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§70014 Aiming laser pointer at vessel
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter CHAPTER 700— - PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › § 70014
Summary
It is illegal to aim a laser pointer beam at a vessel on the navigable waters of the United States. Members of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security are allowed to do this when working in an official role for research, development, operations, testing, or training. A laser pointer is a device that makes a focused beam used to point to or mark a place, object, or position.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §70014
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable waters of the United States.
(b)This section shall not apply to a member or element of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training.
(c)In this section the term “laser pointer” means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 70014
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73