---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 51705"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "51705"
heading: "Training for use of force against piracy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/51705"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part B — Merchant Marine Service"
  - "Chapter 517 — Other Support for Merchant Marine Training"
---

# §51705. Training for use of force against piracy


The [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation, in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Defense and the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of the department in which the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) is operating, shall certify a training curriculum for [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) mariners on the use of force against pirates. The curriculum shall include—

- (1) information on waters designated as high-risk waters by the [Commandant](/usc/46/2101.md?p=3) of the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2);
- (2) information on current threats and patterns of attack by pirates;
- (3) tactics for defense of a [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9), including instruction on the types, use, and limitations of security equipment;
- (4) standard rules for the use of force for self-defense as developed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of the department in which the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) is operating under section 912(c) of the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281; [46 U.S.C. 8107](/usc/46/8107.md) note), including instruction on firearm safety for crewmembers of [vessels](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) carrying [cargo](/usc/46/53901.md?p=2) under [section 55305 of this title](/usc/46/55305.md); and
- (5) procedures to follow to improve crewmember survivability if captured and taken hostage by pirates.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–213, title V, § 502(a), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1574.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Deadline

Pub. L. 112–213, title V, § 502(b), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1575, provided that: “The Secretary of Transportation shall certify the curriculum required under the amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2012].”