§11104 Destitute Seamen

Summary

Consular officers must provide a needy U.S. seaman with food, basic care, and a way back to a U.S. port, paid for by the U.S. government and following rules set by the Secretary of State. If the seaman can work, the seaman must do the job that fits their rank while traveling. A U.S. ship’s captain must take a destitute seaman aboard when a consular officer asks and bring the seaman to the United States. If the captain refuses, the captain owes the United States $100; a consular certificate counts as proof of refusal. The captain does not have to take the seaman if doing so would exceed the ship’s allowed number of people or if the seaman has a contagious disease. Pay for carrying a seaman who cannot work is set by the captain and the consular officer under State Department rules, but cannot be more than the ship’s lowest passenger fare or 2 cents a mile, whichever is less. If no consular officer is at the port, the captain or owner must be paid a reasonable amount under State Department rules.