Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2273: Destruction of vessel by nonowner

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A non-owner who willfully destroys or attempts to destroy a U.S. vessel on water may be imprisoned for up to ten years.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever, not being an owner, upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, willfully and corruptly casts away or otherwise destroys any vessel of the United States to which he belongs, or willfully attempts the destruction thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.