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Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§7113 Exemption From Draft

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Vessels and Seamen › Part E— Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents › Chapter 71— LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY › § 7113

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Keeps licensed ship masters, mates, pilots, and engineers who work on inspected, engine-powered vessels or vessels carrying bulk hazardous liquids from being drafted in wartime, except if needed to perform their licensed duties. If they work for the U.S. government while doing those duties, they get the highest merchant-marine pay for similar work, and if killed or wounded then they (or their heirs) get the same pension benefits given to members of the Armed Forces.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §7113

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

A licensed master, mate, pilot, or engineer of a vessel inspected under part B of this subtitle, propelled by machinery or carrying hazardous liquid cargoes in bulk, is not liable to draft in time of war, except for performing duties authorized by the license. When performing those duties in the service of the United States Government, the master, mate, pilot, or engineer is entitled to the highest rate of wages paid in the merchant marine of the United States for similar services. If killed or wounded when performing those duties, the master, mate, pilot, or engineer, or the heirs or legal representatives of the master, mate, pilot, or engineer, are entitled to all the privileges under the pension laws of the United States provided to members of the Armed Forces.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 711346:225 section 7113 exempts licensed masters, mates, pilots, and engineers of inspected vessels that are propelled by machinery or carrying hazardous liquid cargo from the Selective Service draft in time of war. This section also provides that, while serving in that capacity during war, they shall be entitled to the highest rate of pay paid in the U.S. merchant marine for similar services. If a master, mate, pilot, or engineer is killed or wounded when performing those duties during a war, these individuals, their heirs or legal representatives, are entitled to all the privileges provided to members of the Armed Forces under the pension laws of the United States.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 7113

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60