Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026

This Act may be cited as the “Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026”.

(a) In general.— Chapter 25 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 507 the following:

“507A. Altering, removing, or affixing unauthorized vessel identification numbers.—

(a) In general.— With respect to a vessel or vessel part in or affecting interstate commerce, no person shall knowingly, with the purpose of obscuring the identity of a vessel or vessel part—

(1) remove, obliterate, tamper with, forge, counterfeit, alter, or obstruct the visibility of—

(A) a hull identification number;

(B) an identification number; or

(C) a decal or device affixed to a vessel or vessel part; or

(2) affix—

(A) a hull identification number or an identification number that has not been issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State authority, or Federal authority to a vessel or vessel part; or

(B) a decal or device that has not been issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State authority, or Federal authority pursuant to chapters 41, 43 or 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.

(b) Nonapplication.— Subsection (a) shall not apply to the removal of an identification number by a person who is—

(1) authorized to remove the identification number by the United States Coast Guard; or

(2) required to remove the identification number pursuant to Coast Guard regulations.

(c) Penalty.— Whoever violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(d) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Hull identification number.— The term “hull identification number” has the meaning given such term in section 187.7 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

(2) Identification number.— The term “identification number” means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter 41, 43, or 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.

(3) Tampers with.— The term “tampers with” includes covering a decal or device affixed to a vessel pursuant to chapters 41, 43, and 123 of title 46, United States Code, or regulations issued thereunder.

(4) Vessel.— The term “vessel” has the meaning given such term in section 115 of title 46, United States Code.”.

(b) Trafficking in certain vessels.— Chapter 113 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2321 the following:

“2321A. Trafficking in certain vessels.—

(a) In general.— Whoever buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, a vessel in or affecting interstate commerce, knowing that an identification number or hull identification number for such vessel has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, forged, counterfeited, altered, or not issued by the appropriate manufacturer, importer, State or Federal authority shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(b) Nonapplication.— Subsection (a) does not apply if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration—

(1) is caused by collision, allision, or fire; or

(2) is not a violation of section 507A of this title.

(c) Identification number.— In this section, the terms “identification number”, “hull identification number”, and “vessel” have the meaning given such terms in section 507A of this title.”.