(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.