Section 7319 requires the Secretary to maintain records on each merchant mariner’s document issued and the seaman’s next of kin. However, these records are not open for general or public inspection.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “individual” for “seaman” in two places.

2004—Pub. L. 108–293 struck out at end “The records are not open to general or public inspection.”