Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§7303 Possession and Description of Merchant Mariners’ Documents
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part E — Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents › CHAPTER 73 — MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS › § 7303
Summary
The person who receives a merchant mariner’s document must keep it. The document must show the holder’s signature, nationality, age, a description of their physical appearance, a photo, their home address, and the rank or roles they are qualified to serve.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §7303
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A merchant mariner’s document shall be retained by the individual to whom issued. The document shall contain the signature, notations of nationality, age, and physical description, the photograph, and the home address of the individual. In addition, the document shall specify the rate or ratings in which the individual is qualified to serve.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 730346:643(a) section 7303 requires seamen to retain their merchant mariner’s documents. It also specifies the information that is to be contained in the document.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “individual” for “seaman” wherever appearing. 2002—Pub. L. 107–295 struck out “the thumbprint,” after “photograph,”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 7303
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102