---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 11107"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "11107"
heading: "Unlawful engagements void"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/11107"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 111 — Protection and Relief"
---

# §11107. Unlawful engagements void


An engagement of a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) contrary to a law of the United States is void. A [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) so engaged may leave the service of the vessel at any time and is entitled to recover the highest rate of wages at the port from which the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) was engaged or the amount agreed to be given the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) at the time of engagement, whichever is higher.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 580.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 11107 | 46:578 |

Section 11107 entitles seamen engaged contrary to any United States law to leave the service of the vessel without loss of wages.