---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1656"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1656"
heading: "Conversion or surrender of vessel"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1656"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 81 — Piracy and Privateering"
---

# §1656. Conversion or surrender of vessel


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being a captain or other [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) or mariner of a vessel upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), piratically or feloniously runs away with such vessel, or with any goods or merchandise thereof, to the value of $50 or over; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) yields up such vessel voluntarily to any pirate—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 497 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 306, 35 Stat. 1148).

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in last par.