---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8107"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "8107"
heading: "Use of force against piracy"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/8107"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 81 — General"
---

# §8107. Use of force against piracy

- (a) **Limitation on Liability.—** An owner, operator, time charterer, master, mariner, or individual who uses force or authorizes the use of force to defend a [vessel of the United States](/usc/46/116.md) against an [act of piracy](#c) shall not be liable for monetary damages for any injury or death caused by such force to any person engaging in an [act of piracy](#c) if such force was in accordance with standard rules for the use of force in self-defense of [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46).
- (b) **Promotion of Coordinated Action.—** To carry out the purpose of this section, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of the department in which the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) is operating shall work through the International Maritime Organization to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag- and port-[states](/usc/46/112.md) to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to piracy against the [vessels](/usc/46/115.md) of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those established by [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Definition.—** For the purpose of this section, the term “act of piracy” means any act of aggression, search, restraint, depredation, or seizure attempted against a [vessel of the United States](/usc/46/116.md) by an individual not authorized by the [United States](/usc/46/114.md), a foreign government, or an international organization recognized by the [United States](/usc/46/114.md) to enforce law on the high seas.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 912(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3016.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Standard Rules for the Use of Force for Self-Defense of Vessels of the United States

Pub. L. 111–281, title IX, § 912(c), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3017, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this act [Oct. 15, 2010], the secretary [sic] of the department in which the coast guard [sic] is operating, in consultation with representatives of industry and labor, shall develop standard rules for the use of force for self-defense of vessels of the United States.”