
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 46USC10304]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
              Part G--Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief
 
              CHAPTER 103--FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES
 
Sec. 10304. Form of agreement

    The form of the agreement required by section 10302 of this title 
shall be in substance as follows:

                        United States of America

    (Date and place of first signature of agreement):
    It is agreed between the master and seamen of the         , of which 
             is at present master, or whoever shall go for master, now 
bound from the port of            to            (here the voyage is to 
be described, and the places named at which the vessel is to touch, or 
if that cannot be done, the general nature and probable length of the 
voyage is to be stated).
    The seamen agree to conduct themselves in an orderly, faithful, 
honest, and sober manner, and to be at all times diligent in their 
respective duties, and to be obedient to the lawful commands of the 
master, or of an individual who lawfully succeeds the master, and of 
their superior officers in everything related to the vessel, and the 
stores and cargo of the vessel, whether on board, in boats, or on shore. 
In consideration of this service by the seamen to be performed, the 
master agrees to pay the crew, as wages, the amounts beside their names 
respectively expressed, and to supply them with provisions according to 
the annexed scale.
    It is agreed that any embezzlement, or willful or negligent 
destruction of any part of the vessel's cargo or stores, shall be made 
good to the owner out of the wages of the person guilty of the 
embezzlement or destruction.
    If an individual holds himself or herself out as qualified for a 
duty which the individual proves incompetent to perform, the 
individual's wages shall be reduced in proportion to the incompetency.
    It also is agreed that if a seaman considers himself or herself to 
be aggrieved by any breach of this agreement or otherwise, the seaman 
shall present the complaint to the master or officer in charge of the 
vessel, in a quiet and orderly manner, who shall take steps that the 
case requires.
    It also is agreed that (here any other stipulations may be inserted 
to which the parties agree, and that are not contrary to law).
    In witness whereof, the parties have subscribed their names to this 
agreement, on the dates beside their respective signatures.
    Signed by             , master, on the          day of         , 
nineteen hundred and            .

Signature 
of seaman                                           Time of service:
Birthplace                                              Months
Age                                                     Days
Height:                                             Hospital money
    Feet                                            Whole wages
    Inches                                          Wages due
Description
:                                                   Place and time of 
                                                        entry
    
Complexion                                          Time at which seaman 
                                                        is to
    Hair                                              be on board
Wages each 
month                                               In what capacity
Wages each 
voyage                                              Allotment payable to
Advance 
wages                                               Conduct 
                                                        qualifications
Amount of 
monthly
  
allotment

     Note.--In the place for signature and descriptions of individuals 
 engaged after the first departure of the vessel, the entries are to be 
 made as above, except that the signature of the consul or vice consul, 
customs officer, or witness before whom the individual is engaged, is to 
                               be entered.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 103-206, title IV, 
Sec. 402, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2436.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10304.............................  46:713
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 10304 provides the form of the shipping articles of 
agreement. While the exact format need not be followed, the form that is 
used must contain all the pertinent elements.


                               Amendments

    1993--Pub. L. 103-206 struck out ``Shipping commissioner's signature 
or initials'' immediately below ``In what capacity'' in the form.
