46 USC § 7303 - Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s7303"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 7303 - Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "7303"
section_name: "Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents"
chapter_number: 73
chapter_name: "MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS"
part_number: "E"
part_name: "Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents"
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. 542; Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, § 421, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2125; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(b)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4751.)"
---


# § 7303. Possession and description of merchant mariners’ documents

A merchant mariner’s document shall be retained by the individual to whom issued. The document shall contain the signature, notations of nationality, age, and physical description, the photograph, and the home address of the individual. In addition, the document shall specify the rate or ratings in which the individual is qualified to serve.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 542; Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, § 421, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2125; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(b)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4751.)

| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| --- | --- |
| 7303 | 46:643(a) |

Section 7303 requires seamen to retain their merchant mariner’s documents. It also specifies the information that is to be contained in the document.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021— substituted “individual” for “seaman” wherever appearing.

2002— struck out “the thumbprint,” after “photograph,”.