---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10702"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10702"
heading: "Duties of masters"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10702"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 107 — Effects of Deceased Seamen"
---

# §10702. Duties of masters

- (a) When a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) dies during a voyage, the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) shall take charge of the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s money and property. An entry shall be made in the official logbook, signed by the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), the chief mate, and an unlicensed crewmember containing an inventory of the money and property and a statement of the wages due the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3), with the total of the deductions to be made.
- (b) On compliance with this chapter, the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) shall obtain a written certificate of compliance from the consular officer or court clerk. Clearance may be granted to a foreign-bound vessel only when the certificate is received at the office of customs.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 572; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 422(a), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2438.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 10702 | 46:621 |

Section 10702 requires a master to take charge of the property of a deceased seaman, make note in the official logbook that the property was taken and obtain a certificate of compliance from a shipping commissioner which must be exhibited for port clearance of foreign bound vessels.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–206 substituted “the consular officer or court clerk” for “a shipping commissioner”.