Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§10706 Seamen dying in the United States
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part G— - Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter CHAPTER 107— - EFFECTS OF DECEASED SEAMEN › § 10706
Summary
When a seaman dies and is owed money, property, or wages, the ship's owner/master must give those things to a U.S. district court within one week. If the death was at sea, delivery may be made after the ship's first port to a court or consular officer within one week.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §10706
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
When a seaman dies in the United States and is entitled at death to claim money, property, or wages from the master or owner of a vessel on which the seaman served, the master or owner shall deliver the money, property, and wages to a district court of the United States within one week of the seaman’s death. If the seaman’s death occurs at sea, such money, property, or wages shall be delivered to a district court or a consular officer within one week of the vessel’s arrival at the first port call after the seaman’s death.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1070646:625 section 10706 provides for the disposal by the master of the property and wages of deceased seamen who have died in the United States.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1993—Pub. L. 103–206 substituted “to a district court of the United States within one week of the seaman’s death. If the seaman’s death occurs at sea, such money, property, or wages shall be delivered to a district court or a consular officer within one week of the vessel’s arrival at the first port call after the seaman’s death.” for “as provided by
Regulations
prescribed by the Secretary.”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 10706
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73