1996 US Code
Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 45 - FOREIGN RELATIONS
Sec. 967 - Departure of vessel forbidden in aid of neutrality

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§967. Departure of vessel forbidden in aid of neutrality

(a) During a war in which the United States is a neutral nation, the President, or any person authorized by him, may withhold clearance from or to any vessel, domestic or foreign, or, by service of formal notice upon the owner, master, or person in command or in charge of any domestic vessel not required to secure clearances, may forbid its departure from port or from the United States, whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that such vessel is about to carry fuel, arms, ammunition, men, supplies, dispatches, or information to any warship, tender, or supply ship of a foreign belligerent nation in violation of the laws, treaties, or obligations of the United States under the law of nations. It shall thereupon be unlawful for such vessel to depart.

(b) Whoever, in violation of this section, takes or attempts to take, or authorizes the taking of any such vessel, out of port or from the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. In addition, such vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture, equipment, and her cargo shall be forfeited to the United States.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 748; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§31, 36 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title V, §§1, 6, 40 Stat. 221, 222; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, §5, 54 Stat. 79).

Section consolidates said sections of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., with minor changes in translations and phraseology.

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

The conspiracy provision of said section 36 was omitted as covered by section 371 of this title. See reviser's note under that section.

Changes in phraseology were also made.

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than ,000”.

Delegation of Functions

For delegation to Secretary of the Treasury of authority vested in President by this section, see section 1(m) of Ex. Ord. No. 10637, Sept. 16, 1955, 20 F.R. 7025, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.

Canal Zone

Applicability of section to Canal Zone, see section 14 of this title.

Cross References

Jurisdiction of offenses, see section 3241 of this title.

Restrictions on use of American ports where evidence insufficient under this section, see section 450 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 14 of this title; title 22 sections 450, 465.