§ 10302. Shipping articles agreements

• (a) The owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge shall make a shipping agreement in writing with each seaman before the seaman commences employment.
• (b) The agreement shall contain the following:
  • (1) the nature, and, as far as practicable, the duration of the intended voyage, and the port or country in which the voyage is to end.
  • (2) the number and description of the crew and the capacity in which each seaman is to be engaged.
  • (3) the time at which each seaman is to be on board to begin work.
  • (4) the amount of wages each seaman is to receive.
  • (5) regulations about conduct on board, and information on fines, short allowance of provisions, and other punishment for misconduct provided by law.
  • (6) a scale of the provisions that are to be provided each seaman.
  • (7) any stipulation in reference to advances and allotments of wages.
  • (8) other matters not contrary to law.
• (c) Each shipping agreement must be signed by the master or individual in charge or a representative of the owner, charterer, or managing operator, and by each seaman employed.
• (d) The owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge shall maintain the shipping agreement and make the shipping agreement available to the seaman.