---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10320"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10320"
heading: "Records of seamen"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10320"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 103 — Foreign and Intercoastal Voyages"
---

# §10320. Records of seamen


The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) shall prescribe regulations requiring vessel [owners](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) to maintain records of seamen on matters of engagement, discharge, and service. A vessel [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) shall make these records available to the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) and the [Coast Guard](/usc/46/2101.md?p=2) on request.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 569; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 411, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2437.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 10320 | .............................................. |

Section 10320 authorizes the Secretary to provide for the maintenance of records of the engagement, discharge, or service of seamen.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–206 amended heading and text of section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may prescribe regulations for reporting by a master of matters about the engagement, discharge, or service of seamen that may be needed in keeping central records of seamen.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.