Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§382 Seizure of Piratical Vessels Generally
Title 33 › CHAPTER 7 — REGULATIONS FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY › § 382
Summary
The President can order U.S. armed ships to capture and bring into U.S. ports any armed vessel that has tried or committed piracy or seizure against U.S. ships, U.S. citizens, or other vessels, and to retake U.S. vessels unlawfully captured on the high seas.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §382
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The President is authorized to instruct the commanders of the public armed vessels of the United States to subdue, seize, take, and send into any port of the United States, any armed vessel or boat, or any vessel or boat, the crew whereof shall be armed, and which shall have attempted or committed any piratical aggression, search, restraint, depredation, or seizure, upon any vessel of the United States, or of the citizens thereof, or upon any other vessel; and also to retake any vessel of the United States, or its citizens, which may have been unlawfully captured upon the high seas.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification R.S. § 4294 derived from acts Mar. 3, 1819, ch. 77, § 2, 3 Stat. 512; Jan. 30, 1823, ch. 7, 3 Stat. 721.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 382
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102