46 U.S.C. § 10502 — Shipping articles agreements

(a) The owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge must make a shipping agreement in writing with each seaman before the seaman commences employment. (b) The agreement must include the date and hour on which the seaman must be on board to begin the voyage. (c) The agreement may not contain a provision on the allotment of wages or a scale of provisions. (d) 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. (e) The owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or individual in charge must maintain the shipping agreement and make the shipping agreement available to the seaman. (f) The Secretary must prescribe regulations requiring shipping companies to maintain records of seamen on matters of engagement, discharge, and service. The shipping companies must make these records available to the seaman and the Coast Guard on request.