§2291 Destruction of Vessel or Maritime Facility

Summary

Makes it a crime for a person to on purpose damage, destroy, disable, burn, wreck, or place explosives or other destructive items on or near a vessel or the things used to run a vessel. It also covers damaging or attacking maritime facilities (like navigation aids, locks, canals, or vessel‑traffic systems), using force that could endanger a moving vessel, attacking or incapacitating people on a vessel in a way that could endanger the ship or others, causing serious injury at places or equipment used with vessel operations, giving false information that could reasonably be believed and that endangers a vessel, and trying or planning any of these acts. Conviction can bring a federal fine and/or up to 20 years in prison. Lawful work such as normal repairs, salvage, or transporting hazardous materials allowed under chapter 51 of title 49 is not covered. If the vessel was carrying high‑level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel, the penalty can include a fine and up to life in prison. If the act was meant to kill and someone dies, the sentence can be death or life in prison. Knowingly making a credible threat to do any of these things can bring a fine, up to 5 years in prison, and responsibility for any costs caused by the threat.