---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 11502"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "11502"
heading: "Entry of offenses in logbook"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/11502"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part G — Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
  - "Chapter 115 — Offenses and Penalties"
---

# §11502. Entry of offenses in logbook

- (a) When an offense listed in [section 11501 of this title](/usc/46/11501.md) is committed, an entry shall be made in the vessel’s official logbook—
  - (1) on the day of the offense;
  - (2) stating the details;
  - (3) signed by the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1); and
  - (4) signed by the chief mate or another [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3).
- (b) Before arrival in port if the offense was committed at sea, or before departure if the offense was committed in port and the offender is still on the vessel—
  - (1) the entry shall be read to the offender;
  - (2) the offender shall be given a copy; and
  - (3) the offender shall be given the opportunity to reply.
- (c) After [subsection (b)](#b) of this section has been complied with, an entry shall be made in the official logbook—
  - (1) stating that the entry about the offense was read and a copy provided to the offender;
  - (2) stating the offender’s reply;
  - (3) signed by the [master](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1); and
  - (4) signed by the chief mate or another [seaman](/usc/46/10101.md?p=3).
- (d) In a subsequent legal proceeding, if the entries required by this section are not produced or proved, the court may refuse to receive evidence of the offense.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 583.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 11502 | 46:702 |

Section 11502 describes the manner in which offenses must be recorded in the official logbook, and the use of the records by the court.