---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1655"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1655"
heading: "Assault on commander as piracy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1655"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 81 — Piracy and Privateering"
---

# §1655. Assault on commander as piracy


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being a seaman, lays violent hands upon his commander, to hinder and prevent his fighting in defense of his vessel or the goods intrusted to him, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for life.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 485 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 294, 35 Stat. 1146).

A minor verbal change was made.