7 FAM 700
SHIPPING AND SEAMEN
7 FAM 710
INTRODUCTION
(CT:CON-804; 04-30-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 711 SUMMARY
(CT:CON-111; 09-15-2005)
The United States assumed its responsibilities with regard
to seamen abroad before the creation of the United States Consular Service.
Consular involvement with maritime affairs was intricately tied to the
development of our national defense policy and to the early history of the
Department of State. Although changes in the maritime laws and customs,
treaties, consular conventions, union contracts and other collective bargaining
agreements may have lessened the role of the consular officer, your role
remains vital in assisting seamen of the United States and in documenting
American vessels when necessary. The master and crew of a vessel of the United
States are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States for certain
purposes during the period of their employment aboard ship and are entitled to
certain protections under United States law.
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Mr. Jefferson's Instructions To Consuls and Vice Consuls
of the United States, August 26, 1790
That you give to me, from time to time, information of
all military preparations, and other indications of war which may take place
in your ports; and when a war shall appear imminent, that you notify thereof
the merchants and vessels of the United States within your district, that
they may be duly on their guard.
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7 FAM 712 FEDERAL AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITIES
(CT:CON-777; 01-10-2018)
The following are various Federal agencies concerned with
shipping and seamen issues:
(1) United States Coast Guard (USCG) - a military,
multi-mission, maritime service and the Departments primary contact for issues
related to shipping and seamen services. In addition to its compelling
national defense role as one of the five United States Armed Services, the
Coast Guard is charged with a broad scope of regulatory, law-enforcement,
humanitarian, and emergency-response duties. The USCG investigates certain
marine casualties, investigates misconduct and takes disciplinary action
concerning United States merchant seamen and inspects and certifies vessels
subject to United States inspection laws. USCG offices responsible for
shipping and seamen services include:
(a) The Office of Vessel Traffic Management provides
direction, program oversight, and policy guidance for the United States System
of Vessel Traffic Services;
(b) The National Vessel Documentation Center provides
the most common forms used in the Vessel Documentation Process; and
(c) The National Maritime Center issues merchant
mariners documents and licenses, maintains the records of United States
mariners and provides guidance concerning their qualifications as well as other
issues such as wage disputes, and documents vessels. Union contracts,
treaties, laws and consular conventions govern many actions pertaining to
seamen, such as repatriation, death notification and disposition of remains and
effects. Contact the USCG National Maritime Center for specific information.
(2) Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS
offices with responsibility for maritime related issues include:
(a) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) -
Coordinates activities with DHSs Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services (BCIS) and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE),
the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other agencies as required. BCBP also
handles admissibility determinations concerning alien seamen, shore leave in
the United States, and service time aboard United States ships;
(b) United States Maritime Administration Handles the
Maritime Security Program and other forms of promotional assistance to the
merchant marine; manages and operates the Ready Reserve Force which is a
reserve fleet of cargo ships that are activated in time of national emergency;
and controls the charter and sale of United States flag vessels to foreign
interests; and
(c) Federal Communications Commission - Licenses ship
radio equipment and radio operations.
7 FAM 713 What is the Consular
Officers Authority and Responsibility Regarding Shipping and Seamen Services?
7 FAM 713.1 Authorities
(CT:CON-111; 09-15-2005)
Consular authority for shipping and seamen services is
derived from a variety of treaties, laws and regulations, including:
(1) Treaties and Conventions: Consult Treaties in
Force on the Department of State Internet page to determine which treaties and
conventions are in force between the United States and the host country.
Search under both bilateral and multilateral agreements:
(a) Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR);
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VCCR Article 5 provides consular functions include:
(k) Exercising rights of supervision and inspection
provided for in the laws and regulations of the sending State in respect of
vessels having the nationality of the sending State, and of aircraft
registered in that State, and in respect of their crews.
(l) Extending assistance to vessels and aircraft
mentioned in sub-paragraph (k) of this Article and to their crews, taking
statements regarding the voyage of a vessel, examining and stamping the
ship's papers, and, without prejudice to the powers of the authorities of the
receiving State, conducting investigations into any incidents which occurred
during the voyage, and settling disputes of any kind between the master, the
officers and the seamen in so far as this may be authorized by the laws and
regulations of the sending State.
VCCR Article 37 provides
If the relevant information is available to the
competent authorities of the receiving State, such authorities shall have the
duty:
(c) If a vessel, having the nationality of the sending
State, is wrecked or runs aground in the territorial sea or internal waters
of the receiving State, or if an aircraft registered in the sending State
suffers an accident on the territory of the receiving State, to inform
without delay the consular post nearest to the scene of the occurrence.
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(b) International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (Treaties and Other International Acts, Series 9700);
(c) Ship-owners Liability Convention of 1936;
(d) International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended;
(e) International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended (Treaties and Other International Acts, Series
9700);
(f) Many agreements grant enforcement authority to port
states in addition to flag state authority to ensure foreign vessel compliance
with the substantive requirements in the agreements.
(2) United States Laws:
46 U.S.C. (generally);
22 U.S.C. 256 Jurisdiction of consular officers in
disputes between seamen;
22 U.S.C. 4193 Protests;
22 U.S.C. 4194 Lists and Returns of Seamen and
Vessels;
22 U.S.C. 4205 Retention of papers of American vessels
until payment of demands and wages;
22 U.S.C. 4206 Fees for services to American vessels
or seamen prohibited;
22 U.S.C. 4207 Profits from dealings with discharged
seamen; prohibition;
46 U.S.C. 10301 Application;
46 U.S.C. 10308 Foreign Engagements;
46 U.S.C. 10309 Engaging seamen to replace those lost
by desertion or casualty;
46 U.S.C. 10318 Wages on Discharge in Foreign Ports;
46 U.S.C. 10703 Procedures of Masters;
46 U.S.C. 10704 Duties of consular officers: Effects
of Deceased Seamen;
46 U.S.C. 10705 Disposition of money, property, and
wages by consular officers;
46 U.S.C. 10905 Complaints in Foreign Ports;
46 U.S.C. 11104 Destitute seamen;
46 U.S.C. 11105 Wages on Discharge When Vessel Sold;
46 U.S.C. 11106 Wages on Justifiable Complaint of
Seamen;
46 U.S.C. 11101 Definitions; and
46 U.S.C. 11503 Duties of consular officers related to
insubordination.
(3) United States Regulations: 46 CFR (generally); 46
CFR, Chapter 1, Part 14 Shipment and Discharge of Merchant Mariners.
7 FAM 713.2 What is the Role of the
Consular Officer Regarding Shipping and Seamen Services for United States Flag
Vessels?
(CT:CON-407; 06-29-2012)
a. Consular involvement with maritime affairs was
intricately tied to the development of our national defense policy and to the
early history of the Department of State. For United States flag vessels,
consular officers have authority to:
(1) Respond to casualties (disasters and seizures)
affecting seamen of the United States;
(2) Extend certain expired international certificates
issued under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea or
request the host country, if it is party to the Convention, to reissue a new
certificate so the vessel may proceed to a United States port;
(3) Receive protests and declarations regarding the
material condition of vessels as well as other situations seamen and/or others
bring to your attention (see 46 U.S.C. 10905);
(4) Provide copies of documents, e.g., protests under
the consular seal;
(5) Settle the affairs of citizens who die aboard United States flag vessels within the limits of the consular district;
(6) Secure property saved from wrecks;
(7) Protect the interests and property of United States citizens involved in maritime disasters;
(8) Provide for the deposit of ships papers;
(9) Give relief to and repatriate destitute seamen; 46
U.S.C. 10318(e) and 11104(a) make provision for assistance to destitute seamen
by the Department of State. By maritime practice, Comptroller General
decisions or maritime bargaining agreements, United States owners or operators
are held responsible for relief and repatriation of all seamen separated from
their vessels at foreign ports for any reason except desertion or shipwreck.
Accordingly, United States consular officers are instructed to contact the
ship-owners or their agents for assistance to destitute seamen. When the
ship-owners or their agents will not render assistance, the consular officer
should assist a destitute American seaman in the same manner as any other
destitute American citizen eligible for repatriation;
(10) Receive shipment of seamen; and
(11) Oversee engagement and discharge of seamen when
necessary.
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When assistance/intervention is requested after hours, you
should provide the same consideration as you do other consular matters
bearing in mind that delay may cause disruption and considerable expense to
the operation of the vessel.
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b. Consult CA/OCS/L if you have shipping and seamen
services questions and we will coordinate with the appropriate Federal agency
to obtain specific guidance.
7 FAM 713.3 Personal Mail
(CT:CON-111; 09-15-2005)
You may accept personal mail addressed to seamen on
vessels of the United States and either hold it or forward it as appropriate.
A ships officer or a crew member may pick up mail for the vessel.
7 FAM 714 What is the Role of CA/OCS/L?
(CT:CON-407; 06-29-2012)
The Office of Legal Affairs (CA/OCS/L) is the Departments
liaison with other government agencies concerned with United States flag vessel
shipping and seamen services and consular posts overseas as well as with
members of the public and Congress. CA/OCS/L provides guidance, disseminates
information and implements new procedures regarding United States flag vessel
documentation and shipping and seamen services.
7 FAM 715 Are there Limitations on
Consular Officers Regarding Seaman Services and Disclosure of Information
(Privacy Act)?
(CT:CON-449; 03-25-2013)
a. Information contained in a name-retrievable system
of records concerning seamen services for citizens of the United States and
legal permanent residents may not be disclosed except:
(1) By written authorization of the individual who is
the subject of the record, or
(2) In accordance with the 12 exceptions to the
conditions of disclosure in the Privacy Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(1) -
(12). See 7 FAM
060 and State-05 on the Department of State Internet page and the CA/OCS
Intranet Privacy Act Feature.
b. Any unauthorized disclosure is subject to criminal
penalties pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act, as amended).
c. Consult CA/OCS/L about questions concerning
shipping and seamen services and the Privacy Act by contacting us at
Ask-OCS-L@state.gov.
7 FAM 716 through 719 unassigned