---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10304"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10304"
heading: "Form of agreement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10304"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 103 — Foreign and Intercoastal Voyages"
---

# §10304. Form of agreement


The form of the agreement required by [section 10302 of this title](/usc/46/10302.md) shall be in substance as follows:

United States of America

(Date and place of first signature of agreement):

It is agreed between the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) and seamen of the , of which is at present [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), or whoever shall go for [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), 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](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), or of an individual who lawfully succeeds the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), 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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=5) of this service by the seamen to be performed, the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) 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](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) out of the wages of the [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) 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](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) considers himself or herself to be aggrieved by any breach of this agreement or otherwise, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) shall present the complaint to the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) 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](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), on the day of , nineteen hundred and .

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Signature of [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) | 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](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) 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.


## Source credit

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

## Notes

| 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.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–206 struck out “Shipping commissioner’s signature or initials” immediately below “In what capacity” in the form.