Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1659 Attack to Plunder Vessel
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 81 — PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING › § 1659
Summary
Attacking or boarding someone else's ship on the high seas or other U.S. maritime waters, by surprise or by force, with the intent to steal money, goods, or cargo on board is a crime punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1659
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open force, maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to another, with an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to despoil any owner thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise laden on board thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 489 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 298, 35 Stat. 1147). Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1659
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102