---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1661"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1661"
heading: "Robbery ashore"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1661"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 81 — Piracy and Privateering"
---

# §1661. Robbery ashore


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being engaged in any piratical cruise or [enterprise](/usc/18/1961.md?p=4), or being of the crew of any piratical vessel, lands from such vessel and commits robbery on shore, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for life.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 493 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 302, 35 Stat. 1147).

Transposition of several words was made.