---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2271"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2271"
heading: "Conspiracy to destroy vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2271"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 111 — Shipping"
---

# §2271. Conspiracy to destroy vessels


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), on the high seas, or within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), willfully and [corruptly](/usc/18/1515.md?p=b) conspires, combines, and confederates with any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), such other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) being either within or without the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), to cast away or otherwise destroy any vessel, with intent to injure any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) that may have underwritten or may thereafter underwrite any policy of insurance thereon or on goods on board thereof, or with intent to injure any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) that has lent or advanced, or may lend or advance, any money on such vessel on bottomry or respondentia; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), builds, or fits out any vessel to be cast away or destroyed, with like intent—

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


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803; 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., § 487 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 296, 35 Stat. 1146).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Reference to a person who “aids in building or fitting out any vessel” was omitted as unnecessary in view of section 2 making all aiders guilty as principal.

Changes in phraseology were made.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

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