46 U.S.C. § 10308

Foreign engagements

When a seaman is engaged outside the United States, the agreement required by section 10302 of this title shall be signed in the presence of a consular officer. If a consular officer is not available at the port of engagement, the seaman may be engaged, and the agreement shall be signed in the next port at which a consular officer is available.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 564 ; Pub. L. 103–206, title IV, § 406 , Dec. 20, 1993 , 107 Stat. 2436 .)