46 USC § 10706 - Seamen dying in the United States

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s10706"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 10706 - Seamen dying in the United States"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "10706"
section_name: "Seamen dying in the United States"
chapter_number: 107
chapter_name: "EFFECTS OF DECEASED SEAMEN"
part_number: "G"
part_name: "Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 573; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 419, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2438.)"
---


# § 10706. Seamen dying in the United States

When a seaman dies in the United States and is entitled at death to claim money, property, or wages from the master or owner of a vessel on which the seaman served, the master or owner shall deliver the money, property, and wages to a district court of the United States within one week of the seaman’s death. If the seaman’s death occurs at sea, such money, property, or wages shall be delivered to a district court or a consular officer within one week of the vessel’s arrival at the first port call after the seaman’s death.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 573; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 419, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2438.)

| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| --- | --- |
| 10706 | 46:625 |

Section 10706 provides for the disposal by the master of the property and wages of deceased seamen who have died in the United States.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1993— substituted “to a district court of the United States within one week of the seaman’s death. If the seaman’s death occurs at sea, such money, property, or wages shall be delivered to a district court or a consular officer within one week of the vessel’s arrival at the first port call after the seaman’s death.” for “as provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.”.