2014 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping (Sections 101 - 80509)
Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen (Sections 2101 - 14702)
Part F - Manning of Vessels (Sections 8101 - 9308)
Chapter 81 - General (Sections 8101 - 8108)
Sec. 8107 - Use of force against piracy

View Metadata
Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 2, Title 46 - SHIPPING
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle II - Vessels and Seamen
Part F - Manning of Vessels
CHAPTER 81 - GENERAL
Sec. 8107 - Use of force against piracy
Containssection 8107
Date2014
Laws In Effect As Of DateJanuary 5, 2015
Positive LawYes
Dispositionstandard
Source CreditAdded Pub. L. 111-281, title IX, §912(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3016.
Statutes at Large References124 Stat. 3016, 3017
Public and Private LawsPublic Law 111-281

Download PDF


46 U.S.C. § 8107 (2014)
§8107. Use of force against piracy

(a) Limitation on Liability.—An owner, operator, time charterer, master, mariner, or individual who uses force or authorizes the use of force to defend a vessel of the United States against an act of piracy shall not be liable for monetary damages for any injury or death caused by such force to any person engaging in an act of piracy if such force was in accordance with standard rules for the use of force in self-defense of vessels prescribed by the Secretary.

(b) Promotion of Coordinated Action.—To carry out the purpose of this section, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall work through the International Maritime Organization to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag- and port-states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those established by subsection (a).

(c) Definition.—For the purpose of this section, the term "act of piracy" means any act of aggression, search, restraint, depredation, or seizure attempted against a vessel of the United States by an individual not authorized by the United States, a foreign government, or an international organization recognized by the United States to enforce law on the high seas.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, §912(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3016.)

STANDARD RULES FOR THE USE OF FORCE FOR SELF-DEFENSE OF VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES

Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, §912(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3017, provided that: "Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this act [Oct. 15, 2010], the secretary [sic] of the department in which the coast guard [sic] is operating, in consultation with representatives of industry and labor, shall develop standard rules for the use of force for self-defense of vessels of the United States."

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. The United States Government Printing Office may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the US site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.