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46 U.S.C. 11109: Attachment of wagesText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 111-PROTECTION AND RELIEF
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§11109. Attachment of wages

(a)  Wages due or accruing to a master or seaman are not subject to attachment or arrestment from any court, except for an order of a court about the payment by a master or seaman of any part of the master’s or seaman’s wages for the support and maintenance of the spouse or minor children of the master or seaman, or both. A payment of wages to a master or seaman is valid, notwithstanding any prior sale or assignment of wages or any attachment, encumbrance, or arrestment of the wages.

(b)  An assignment or sale of wages or salvage made before the payment of wages does not bind the party making it, except allotments authorized by section 10315 of this title.

(c)  This section applies to an individual employed on a fishing vessel or any fish processing vessel.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 580 ; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, § 402(15) , July 17, 1984 , 98 Stat. 450 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

11109

46:601

Section 11109 limits the attachment of a seaman’s wages and establishes certain rules for the assignment of a seaman’s wages. It also applies to fishermen on fishing vessels.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1984⁠—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–364 substituted “an individual employed on a fishing vessel or any fish processing vessel” for “a fisherman on a fishing vessel”.