
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: 46USC10508]

 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
                     Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
 
              Part G--Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief
 
                     CHAPTER 105--COASTWISE VOYAGES
 
Sec. 10508. General penalties

    (a) A master who carries a seaman on a voyage without first making 
the agreement required by section 10502 of this title shall pay to the 
seaman the highest wage that was paid for a similar voyage within the 3 
months before the time of engagement at the port or place at which the 
seaman was engaged. A seaman who has not signed an agreement is not 
bound by the applicable regulations, penalties, or forfeitures.
    (b) A master engaging a seaman in violation of this chapter or a 
regulation prescribed under this chapter is liable to the United States 
Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000. The vessel also 
is liable in rem for the penalty.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 572; Pub. L. 103-206, title IV, 
Sec. 416, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2438.)

                      Historical and Revision Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Revised section                Source section (U.S. Code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10508.............................  46:575
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 10508 provides for a fair wage to be paid to a seaman who 
was engaged without a shipping agreement, and also exempts the seaman 
under certain conditions from applicable regulations, penalties or 
forfeitures. It also provides a penalty for violation of its provisions.


                               Amendments

    1993--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103-206 substituted ``not more than 
$5,000'' for ``$20''.
