14 U.S.C. § 637 : US Code - Section 637: Stopping vessels; indemnity for firing at or into vessel

Search 14 U.S.C. § 637 : US Code - Section 637: Stopping vessels; indemnity for firing at or into vessel

(a)(1) Whenever any vessel liable to seizure or examination does
not stop on being ordered to do so or on being pursued by an
authorized vessel or authorized aircraft which has displayed the
ensign, pennant, or other identifying insignia prescribed for an
authorized vessel or authorized aircraft, the person in command or
in charge of the authorized vessel or authorized aircraft may,
subject to paragraph (2), fire at or into the vessel which does not
stop.
(2) Before firing at or into a vessel as authorized in paragraph
(1), the person in command or in charge of the authorized vessel or
authorized aircraft shall fire a gun as a warning signal, except
that the prior firing of a gun as a warning signal is not required
if that person determines that the firing of a warning signal would
unreasonably endanger persons or property in the vicinity of the
vessel to be stopped.
(b) The person in command of an authorized vessel or authorized
aircraft and all persons acting under that person's direction shall
be indemnified from any penalties or actions for damages for firing
at or into a vessel pursuant to subsection (a). If any person is
killed or wounded by the firing, and the person in command of the
authorized vessel or authorized aircraft or any person acting
pursuant to their orders is prosecuted or arrested therefor, they
shall be forthwith admitted to bail.
(c) A vessel or aircraft is an authorized vessel or authorized
aircraft for purposes of this section if -
(1) it is a Coast Guard vessel or aircraft; or
(2) it is a surface naval vessel or military aircraft on which
one or more members of the Coast Guard are assigned pursuant to
section 379 of title 10.