Seamen's Wages:
Seamen aboard ships and other vessels earn wages that are protected by a maritime lien of the highest order. Typically, an owner is obligated to pay the seaman's wages upon completion of the voyage or within certain time frames thereafter. Often, due to financial situations, the owner will delay payment to the seaman despite his obligation to timely pay wages due. In some cases, this results in a penalty that is paid to the seaman by the vessel owner that compensates the seaman for the delay and augments the underlying wages that are due.
When seamen aboard foreign-flag vessels are in American ports, the penalty wage statute applies to them despite the flag their vessel may be flying. Often this particular type of seafarer is unfamiliar with the law and is somewhat hesitant to contact an attorney to assist him in protecting his valuable rights to the wages to which he is entitled. One organization that helps seafarers make contact with the appropriate attorneys to assist them is the ITF. Maritime Legal Resources works closely with the ITF and their network of attorneys to protect seafarersí right to prompt payment of wages in ports throughout the United States. A seaman who is overdue for payment of wages earned aboard a vessel, regardless of flag, should contact Maritime Legal Resources to have his case evaluated. There is no time like the present because an owner who does not pay his sailors on time is often running into financial difficulties. With the passage of time, the financial difficulties increase. It then becomes more difficult to realize and satisfy the lien for wages as the value of the vessel is further eroded due to the ownerís financial problems. Regardless of nationality, seafarers should contact Maritime Legal Resources via phone, fax, or e-mail today to protect their claim for wages.