---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 11501"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "11501"
heading: "Penalties for specified offenses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/11501"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 115 — Offenses and Penalties"
---

# §11501. Penalties for specified offenses


When a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) lawfully engaged commits any of the following offenses, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) shall be punished as specified:

- (1) For desertion, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) forfeits any part of the money or property the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) leaves on board and any part of earned wages.
- (2) For neglecting or refusing without reasonable cause to join the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s vessel or to proceed to sea in the vessel, for absence without leave within 24 hours of the vessel’s sailing from a port (at the beginning or during the voyage), or for absence without leave from duties and without sufficient reason, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) forfeits from the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s wages not more than 2 days’ pay or a sufficient amount to defray expenses incurred in hiring a substitute.
- (3) For quitting the vessel without leave after the vessel’s arrival at the port of delivery and before the vessel is placed in security, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) forfeits from the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s wages not more than one month’s pay.
- (4) For willful disobedience to a lawful command at sea, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3), at the discretion of the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), may be confined until the disobedience ends, and on arrival in port forfeits from the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s wages not more than 4 days’ pay or, at the discretion of the court, may be imprisoned for not more than one month.
- (5) For continued willful disobedience to lawful command or continued willful neglect of duty at sea, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3), at the discretion of the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), may be confined, on water and 1,000 calories, with full rations every 5th day, until the disobedience ends, and on arrival in port forfeits, for each 24 hours’ continuance of the disobedience or neglect, not more than 12 days’ pay or, at the discretion of the court, may be imprisoned for not more than 3 months.
- (6) For assaulting a [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), mate, pilot, engineer, or staff officer, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) shall be imprisoned for not more than 2 years.
- (7) For willfully damaging the vessel, or embezzling or willfully damaging any of the stores or cargo, the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) forfeits from the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s wages the amount of the loss sustained and, at the discretion of the court, may be imprisoned for not more than 12 months.
- (8) For smuggling for which a [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) is convicted causing loss or damage to the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) or [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1), the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) is liable to the [owner](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) or [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) for the loss or damage, and any part of the [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3)’s wages may be retained to satisfy the liability. The [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3) also may be imprisoned for not more than 12 months.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 582.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 11501 | 46:701 |

Section 11501 provides penalties for specific offenses committed by seamen.