---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10312"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10312"
heading: "Settlements on discharge"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10312"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 103 — Foreign and Intercoastal Voyages"
---

# §10312. Settlements on discharge


When discharge and settlement are completed, the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), individual in charge, or [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) and each [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) shall sign the agreement required by [section 10302 of this title](/usc/46/10302.md).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 565; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 410, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2437.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 10312(a), (b), (d)–(f) | 46:644 |
| 10312(c) | 46:652 |

Section 10312 outlines the procedures for settlements upon discharge and for settling disputes over seamen’s wages and discharges.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–206 amended heading and text of section generally, substituting text consisting of sentence relating to signing agreements on discharge and settlement for former subsecs. (a) to (f) relating to such agreements, proceedings before shipping commissioners to settle disputes, certified copies of agreements, evidence of release of claims, and statements of wages paid.