Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§10602 Recovery of Wages and Shares of Fish Under Agreement

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Vessels and Seamen › Part G— Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter 106— FISHING VOYAGES › § 10602

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When fish caught under an agreement are given to the vessel owner for processing and sold, the vessel can be sued to recover the seamen’s wages and their share of the sale. A suit must start within six months of the sale. The owner must show the sale records and how money was split; if not, the vessel may owe the highest amount claimed. The owner may subtract the value of general voyage supplies and other supplies given to the seaman who sues. It does not remove a seaman’s common‑law right to recover their share.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §10602

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)When fish caught under an agreement under section 10601 of this title are delivered to the owner of the vessel for processing and are sold, the vessel is liable in rem for the wages and shares of the proceeds of the seamen. An action under this section must be brought within six months after the sale of the fish.

(b)(1)In an action under this section, the owner shall produce an accounting of the sale and division of proceeds under the agreement. If the owner fails to produce the accounting, the vessel is liable for the highest value alleged for the shares.

(2)The owner may offset the value of general supplies provided for the voyage and other supplies provided the seaman bringing the action.

(c)This section does not affect a common law right of a seaman to bring an action to recover the seaman’s share of the fish or proceeds.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1060246:533, 534

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 10602

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60