§ 11103. Slop chests

• (a) A vessel to which section 11102 of this title applies shall be provided with a slop chest containing sufficient clothing for the intended voyage for each seaman, including—
  • (1) boots or shoes;
  • (2) hats or caps;
  • (3) underclothing;
  • (4) outer clothing;
  • (5) foul weather clothing;
  • (6) everything necessary for the wear of a seaman; and
  • (7) a complete supply of tobacco and blankets.
• (b) Merchandise in the slop chest shall be sold to a seaman desiring it, for the use of the seaman, at a profit of not more than 10 percent of the reasonable wholesale value of the merchandise at the port at which the voyage began.
• (c) This section does not apply to a vessel on a voyage to Canada, Bermuda, the West Indies, Mexico, or Central America, or a fishing or whaling vessel.