46 CFR 14.307: Certificate of discharge entries for mariners
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers the certificate of discharge for merchant mariners leaving a vessel. The master or individual in charge must prepare it, the mariner must sign it, and it must be given to the mariner when the mariner leaves the vessel.
Applies toIt applies to each master or individual in charge of a vessel and each merchant mariner being discharged from the vessel.
What it says
The master or individual in charge of a vessel must prepare a certificate of discharge for each merchant mariner being discharged, following the procedure prescribed by the Coast Guard.
46 CFR 14.307(a)“Each master or individual in charge of a vessel must, for each merchant mariner being discharged from the vessel, prepare a certificate of discharge in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Coast Guard.”
The prescribed format may include the current form CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard.
46 CFR 14.307(a)“The prescribed format may include the current form CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard.”
If the prescribed format is not used, the mariner must be provided with all the same information included on the certificate of discharge.
46 CFR 14.307(a)“If not using the Coast Guard prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same information included on the certificate of discharge.”
Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on the certificate of discharge by signing it.
46 CFR 14.307(b)“Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on the certificate of discharge by signing it.”
When the mariner leaves the vessel, the master or individual in charge must give the certificate of discharge to the mariner.
46 CFR 14.307(c)“When the mariner leaves the vessel, the master or individual in charge must give the certificate of discharge to the mariner.”
Common questions
Who prepares a certificate of discharge?
The master or individual in charge of the vessel must prepare it for each merchant mariner being discharged. The preparation must follow the procedure prescribed by the Coast Guard.
“Each master or individual in charge of a vessel must, for each merchant mariner being discharged from the vessel, prepare a certificate of discharge in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Coast Guard.”
Does the mariner have to sign the certificate of discharge?
Yes. Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on the certificate by signing it.
“Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on the certificate of discharge by signing it.”
Can I use a format other than form CG-718A?
The prescribed format may include form CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard. If the prescribed format is not used, the mariner must be provided with all the same information.
“If not using the Coast Guard prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same information included on the certificate of discharge.”
When does the mariner get the certificate of discharge?
The master or individual in charge must give it to the mariner when the mariner leaves the vessel.
“When the mariner leaves the vessel, the master or individual in charge must give the certificate of discharge to the mariner.”
The text of 46 CFR 14.307
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Entries on certificate of discharge
(a) Each master or individual in charge of a vessel must, for each merchant mariner being discharged from the vessel, prepare a certificate of discharge in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Coast Guard. The prescribed format may include the current form CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard. If not using the Coast Guard prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same information included on the certificate of discharge.
(b) Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on the certificate of discharge by signing it.
(c) When the mariner leaves the vessel, the master or individual in charge must give the certificate of discharge to the mariner.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.