§10318 Wages on discharge in foreign ports

Summary

When a seaman asks a U.S. consular officer in a foreign port to be discharged, the officer must make the ship’s master pay any wages owed if the seaman finished the contract or is otherwise entitled to leave. The officer then must discharge the seaman. Extra wages are allowed only as this rule or another law says. If the consular officer fails to require payment, the officer is responsible to the U.S. Government for the full amount. A seaman who agrees to be discharged gets pay only up to the discharge time. If a seaman is forced off the ship for reasons other than poor performance, incompetence, or ship injury, the master must give the seaman a job on a ship the seaman accepts or pay one month's extra wages. The Secretary of State pays to care for and send home sick or injured seamen. If the master cannot appear, the master may send the seaman to the nearest consular officer for discharge. Wage deductions are allowed only if listed in the seaman’s account required under section 10310, or in a supplementary account for later matters. During the voyage, the master must record deductions and amounts in the official logbook as they happen and show that logbook when wages are paid or in any hearing.