10 USC § 8171 - Continuation of authority after loss of vessel or aircraft

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t10/s8171"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "10 USC § 8171 - Continuation of authority after loss of vessel or aircraft"
title_number: 10
title_name: "ARMED FORCES"
section_number: "8171"
section_name: "Continuation of authority after loss of vessel or aircraft"
chapter_number: 821
chapter_name: "OFFICERS IN COMMAND"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "PERSONNEL"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 372, § 5951; renumbered § 8171, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(5), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)"
---


# § 8171. Continuation of authority after loss of vessel or aircraft

If the crew of any naval vessel or naval aircraft are separated from their vessel or aircraft because of its wreck, loss, or destruction, all the command and authority given to the officers of the vessel or aircraft remain in full force until the crew are discharged or reassigned.

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**Source Credit**: (Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 372, § 5951; renumbered § 8171, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(5), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5951 | 34 U.S.C. 264. | May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 7(a), 64 Stat. 145. |

The word “officers” is substituted for the word “officer” since the cited subsection of the Act of , was intended to reenact the substance of Article 21 of the Articles for the Government of the Navy (R.S. 1624; ), in which the word “officers” was used. The words “regularly” and “by competent authority” are omitted as surplusage.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018— renumbered  as this section.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .