PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

It is a federal crime to set fire to, damage, tamper with the engines or navigation equipment of, place bombs on, or otherwise attack a ship (whether U.S. government-owned, U.S.-flagged engaged in foreign trade, or foreign-flagged) or its cargo if done to injure or endanger the ship, its cargo, or people aboard. The rule covers acts done while the ship is inside U.S. jurisdiction or, for U.S.-flagged ships, on the high seas, and also covers attempts. A person who does or tries these acts can be fined under federal law, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both.

Title 18, §2275

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever sets fire to any vessel of foreign registry, or any vessel of American registry entitled to engage in commerce with foreign nations, or to any vessel of the United States, or to the cargo of the same, or tampers with the motive power of instrumentalities of navigation of such vessel, or places bombs or explosives in or upon such vessel, or does any other act to or upon such vessel while within the jurisdiction of the United States, or, if such vessel is of American registry, while she is on the high sea, with intent to injure or endanger the safety of the vessel or of her cargo, or of persons on board, whether the injury or danger is so intended to take place within the jurisdiction of the United States, or after the vessel shall have departed therefrom and whoever attempts to do so shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 502 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title III, § 1, 40 Stat. 221). Words “as defined in section 501 of this title,” were omitted in view of section 9 of this title, defining vessel of the United States. Last sentence of said section 502, defining “United States”, was incorporated in section 5 of this title. Provision prohibiting conspiracy was deleted as adequately covered by the general conspiracy statute, section 371 of this title. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.

§2275 Firing or Tampering with Vessels