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46 U.S.C. 10308: Foreign engagementsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 103-FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES
Jump To: Source CreditHistorical and Revision NotesEditorial NotesAmendments

§10308. Foreign engagements

When a seaman is engaged outside the United States, the agreement required by section 10302 of this title shall be signed in the presence of a consular officer. If a consular officer is not available at the port of engagement, the seaman may be engaged, and the agreement shall be signed in the next port at which a consular officer is available.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 564 ; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 406 , Dec. 20, 1993 , 107 Stat. 2436 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

10308

46:570

Section 10308 requires that shipping agreements made in foreign ports be signed in the presence of a consular officer. The penalty for violation of this section is $100.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1993⁠—Pub. L. 103–206 struck out “(a)” before “When a seaman” and struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: “A master engaging a seaman in violation of this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $100. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.”