---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10907"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "10907"
heading: "Permission to make complaint"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/10907"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 109 — Proceedings on Unseaworthiness"
---

# §10907. Permission to make complaint

- (a) A [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) may not refuse to permit, deny the opportunity to, or hinder a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) who wishes to make a complaint authorized by this chapter.
- (b) A [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) violating this section is liable to the United States Government for civil penalty of $500.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 577.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 10907 | 46:653<br>46:664 |

Section 10907 prohibits a master from hindering a seaman from making a complaint authorized by this chapter and subjects the master to a fine for violation of this section.