---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10317"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10317"
heading: "Loss of lien and right to wages"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10317"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 103 — Foreign and Intercoastal Voyages"
---

# §10317. Loss of lien and right to wages


A [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) by any agreement other than one provided for in this chapter may not forfeit the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1)’s or [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s lien on the vessel or be deprived of a remedy to which the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) or [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) otherwise would be entitled for the recovery of wages. A stipulation in an agreement inconsistent with this chapter, or a stipulation by which a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) consents to abandon a right to wages if the vessel is lost, or to abandon a right the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) may have or obtain in the nature of salvage, is void.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 568.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 10317 | 46:600 |

Section 10317 prohibits a master or seaman from entering into an agreement which forfeits his or her lien on the vessel or other remedy for recovery of wages, and renders such agreements void.