---
type: "LegalText"
title: "46 U.S.C. § 10317"
description: "Loss of lien and right to wages"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
chapter_number: "103"
chapter_name: "FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES"
section: "10317"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 10317"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s10317"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
source_hash: "a5e295b6ab1c1b8d581bc6919a98265ce25fedcfee81b0597a07a276d98cf278"
raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
text_hash: "ffce3978dded78f1da9d2584dedbc413c8d5c0e27def6de6065de0eb70b53b0f"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 46 U.S.C. § 10317 - Loss of lien and right to wages

## Text

A master or seaman by any agreement other than one provided for in this chapter may not forfeit the master’s or seaman’s lien on the vessel or be deprived of a remedy to which the master or seaman otherwise would be entitled for the recovery of wages. A stipulation in an agreement inconsistent with this chapter, or a stipulation by which a seaman consents to abandon a right to wages if the vessel is lost, or to abandon a right the seaman may have or obtain in the nature of salvage, is void.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 568.)

## Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1031746:600 Section 10317 prohibits a master or seaman from entering into an agreement which forfeits his or her lien on the vessel or other remedy for recovery of wages, and renders such agreements void.