---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 9"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "9"
heading: "Vessel of the United States defined"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/9"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 1 — General Provisions"
---

# §9. Vessel of the United States defined


The term “vessel of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9)”, as used in this title, means a vessel belonging in whole or in part to the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or any citizen thereof, or any corporation created by or under the laws of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or of any [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), Territory, District, or possession thereof.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 685.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 501 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 310, 35 Stat. 1148).

Section is made applicable to the entire title rather than to sections 481 et seq. of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed.

Minor changes in phraseology were made.