Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§11107 Unlawful engagements void
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part G— - Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter CHAPTER 111— - PROTECTION AND RELIEF › § 11107
Summary
If a seaman is hired in a way that breaks U.S. law, that hiring is not valid and the seaman can leave the ship at any time. The seaman must be paid whichever is higher: the highest wage rate at the port where they were hired or the wage that was promised when they were hired.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §11107
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An engagement of a seaman contrary to a law of the United States is void. A seaman so engaged may leave the service of the vessel at any time and is entitled to recover the highest rate of wages at the port from which the seaman was engaged or the amount agreed to be given the seaman at the time of engagement, whichever is higher.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1110746:578 section 11107 entitles seamen engaged contrary to any United States law to leave the service of the vessel without loss of wages.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 11107
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73