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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§11105 Wages on Discharge When Vessel Sold

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a U.S. vessel is sold in another country, the captain must give the U.S. consular officer a certified crew list and the required agreement. The captain must pay each crew member any wages owed and try to put them on another U.S. ship bound for the port of original engagement or another port they agree on. If the captain cannot do that, the captain must either provide means to return, give passage home, or leave enough money with the consular officer for the crew member’s upkeep and trip home. The consular officer must write on the agreement what payment or help was given. If the captain fails to follow these rules, the vessel owner owes the U.S. government a $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 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60