Destruction of vessel by owner
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, and casts away or otherwise destroys any vessel of which he is owner, in whole or in part, with intent to injure any person that may underwrite any policy of insurance thereon, or any merchant that may have goods thereon, or any other owner of such vessel, shall be imprisoned for life or for any term of years.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803 (PDF, 39 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for a ship's owner (or part owner) to deliberately sink or destroy that ship on the high seas or other waters under U.S. maritime authority. It applies when the owner intends to harm insurers, merchants with goods on board, or other owners.