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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73

§11105 Wages on discharge when vessel sold

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part G— - Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter CHAPTER 111— - PROTECTION AND RELIEF › § 11105

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a U.S. vessel is sold abroad, the captain must give the consular officer a certified crew list and the crew agreement, pay each seaman wages due, and employ them on a U.S. vessel back to their port of original engagement or an agreed port. If that is not possible, the captain must provide money or passage home or deposit with the consular officer enough for maintenance and return. The consular officer will note it. If the captain fails, the owner owes the U.S. $500 civil penalty.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §11105

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)When a vessel of the United States is sold in a foreign country, the master shall deliver to the consular officer a certified crew list and the agreement required by this part. The master shall pay each seaman the wages due the seaman and provide the seaman with employment on board another vessel of the United States bound for the port of original engagement of the seaman or to another port agreed on. If employment cannot be provided, the master shall—
(1)provide the seaman with the means to return to the port of original engagement;
(2)provide the seaman passage to the port of original engagement; or
(3)deposit with the consular officer an amount of money considered sufficient by the officer to provide the seaman with maintenance and passage home.
(b)The consular officer shall endorse on the agreement the particulars of the payment, provision, or deposit made under this section.
(c)An owner of a vessel is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $500 if the master does not comply with this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1110546:684 section 11105 provides that when a United States vessel is sold in a foreign port, the seamen must be provided employment on another vessel, or passage to the port of original shipment.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 11105

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73