18 USC § 1659 - Attack to plunder vessel

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s1659"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 1659 - Attack to plunder vessel"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "1659"
section_name: "Attack to plunder vessel"
chapter_number: 81
chapter_name: "PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)"
---


# § 1659. Attack to plunder vessel

Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open force, maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to another, with an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to despoil any owner thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise laden on board thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

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**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 489 (, ).

Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.