§ 2273
Destruction of vessel by nonowner
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, not being an owner, 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 the United States to which he belongs, or the destruction thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 804 (PDF, 39 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for someone who is not an owner to deliberately sink or destroy a U.S. ship they belong to (such as a crew member), on the high seas or other waters under U.S. maritime authority. Attempting to do so is also a crime.