(a) On discharging a seaman and paying the seaman’s wages, the master or individual in charge shall provide the seaman with a certificate of discharge. The form of the certificate shall be prescribed by regulation. It shall contain—

(1) the name of the seaman;

(2) the citizenship or nationality of the seaman;

(3) the number of the seaman’s merchant mariner’s document;

(4) the name and official number of the vessel;

(5) the nature of the voyage (foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise);

(6) the propulsion class of the vessel;

(7) the date and place of engagement;

(8) the date and place of discharge; and

(9) the seaman’s capacity on the voyage.


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Terms Used In 46 USC 10311

  • individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See 1 USC 8
  • vessel: includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. See 1 USC 3

(b) The certificate of discharge may not contain a reference about the character or ability of the seaman. The certificate shall be signed by the master and the seaman.

(c) A certificate of discharge may not be issued if the seaman holds a continuous discharge book. The entries shall be made in the discharge book in the same manner as the entries required by subsection (a) of this section.

(d)(1) A record of each discharge shall be maintained by the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge in the manner and location prescribed by regulation. The records may not be open for general or public use or inspection.

(2) A duplicate of a record of discharge shall be issued to a seaman at the request of the seaman.

(e) This section does not apply to a fishing or whaling vessel or a yacht.

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