Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 860. Section 860.
The mate is the officer next in rank to the master, and in case of the master’s disability the mate becomes the master. By so doing he does not lose any of his rights as mate.
CHAPTER 3. Mates and Seamen [860. - 876.]
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 3.
in effectCal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 861. Section 861.
All persons employed in the navigation of a vessel, or upon a voyage, other than the master and mate, are seamen within the provisions of this code.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 862. Section 862.
The mate and seamen of a vessel are engaged by the master, and may be discharged by him at any period of the voyage for wilful and persistent disobedience or gross disqualification, but they can not be discharged for other reasons before the termination of the voyage.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 863. Section 863.
A mate or seaman is not bound to go to sea in a vessel that is not seaworthy. If there is reasonable doubt of its seaworthiness he may refuse to proceed until a proper survey has been had.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 864. Section 864.
A seaman can not by agreement be deprived of his lien upon the vessel, or of any remedy for the recovery of his wages to which he would otherwise have been entitled. Any agreement, by which he consents to abandon his right to wages in case of the loss of the vessel, or to abandon any right he may have or may obtain in the nature of salvage is void.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 865. Section 865.
A seaman can not, by special agreement, impair any of his rights, or add to any of his obligations, as defined by law, unless he fully understands the effect of the agreement and receives for it a fair compensation.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 866. Section 866.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the wages of seamen are due when, and so far only as, freightage is earned, unless the loss of freightage is due to the fault of the owner or master.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 867. Section 867.
The right of a mate or seaman to wages and provisions begins either from the time he begins work, or from the time specified in the agreement for his beginning work, or from his presence on board, whichever first happens.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 868. Section 868.
If a voyage is broken up before departure of the vessel, the seamen shall be paid for the time they have served, and they may retain for their indemnity any advances they may have received.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 869. Section 869.
When a mate or seaman is wrongfully discharged, or is driven to leave the vessel by the cruelty of the master on the voyage, it is then ended with respect to him, and he may recover his full wages.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 870. Section 870.
If a vessel is wrecked or lost, a seaman is entitled to his wages up to the time of the loss or wreck, whether freightage has been earned or not, if he exerts himself to the utmost to save the vessel, cargo, and stores.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 871. Section 871.
A certificate from the master or chief surviving officer of a vessel, to the effect that a seaman exerted himself to the utmost to save the vessel, cargo, and stores, is presumptive evidence of the fact.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 872. Section 872.
When a mate or seaman is prevented from rendering service by illness or injury, incurred without his fault in the discharge of his duty on the voyage, or by being wrongfully discharged, or by a capture of the vessel, he is entitled to wages notwithstanding. In case of a capture, a ratable deduction for salvage shall be made.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 873. Section 873.
If a mate or seaman becomes sick or disabled during the voyage, without his fault, the expense of furnishing him with suitable medical advice, medicine, attendance, and other provision for his wants, shall be borne by the vessel till the close of the voyage.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 874. Section 874.
If a mate or seaman dies during the voyage, his personal representatives are entitled to his wages to the time of his death, if he would have been entitled to them had he lived to the end of the voyage.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 875. Section 875.
A mate or seaman who deserts his vessel without cause, or who is justifiably discharged by the master during the voyage for misconduct, or for a theft of any part of the cargo or appurtenances of the vessel, or for a wilful injury thereto or to the vessel, forfeits all wages due for the voyage.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 876. Section 876.
A mate or seaman may not, under any pretext, ship goods on his own account without permission from the master.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026