---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1657"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1657"
heading: "Corruption of seamen and confederating with pirates"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1657"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 81 — Piracy and Privateering"
---

# §1657. Corruption of seamen and confederating with pirates


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) attempts to corrupt any commander, master, [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), or mariner to yield up or to run away with any vessel, or any goods, wares, or merchandise, or to turn pirate or to go over to or confederate with pirates, or in any wise to trade with any pirate, knowing him to be such; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) furnishes such pirate with any [ammunition](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-17-A), stores, or provisions of any kind; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) fits out any vessel knowingly and, with a design to trade with, supply, or correspond with any pirate or robber upon the seas; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) consults, combines, confederates, or corresponds with any pirate or robber upon the seas, knowing him to be guilty of any piracy or robbery; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being a seaman, confines the master of any vessel—

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


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXV, § 2527(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4877; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 498 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 307, 35 Stat. 1148).

Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000” in last par.

1990—Pub. L. 101–647, which directed insertion of “section 11, 12, or 13 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act” after “consideration of any action brought under”, could not be executed because the words “consideration of any action brought under” did not appear.