Part IIOffences against the Safety of Ships and Fixed Platforms
9Hijacking of ships
1
A person who unlawfully, by the use of force or by threats of any kind, seizes a ship or exercises control of it, commits the offence of hijacking a ship, whatever his nationality and whether the ship is in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, but subject to subsection (2) below.
2
Subsection (1) above does not apply in relation to a warship or any other ship used as a naval auxiliary or in customs or police service unless—
a
the person seizing or exercising control of the ship is a United Kingdom national, or
b
his act is committed in the United Kingdom, or
c
the ship is used in the naval or customs service of the United Kingdom or in the service of any police force in the United Kingdom.
3
A person guilty of the offence of hijacking a ship is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.