California · Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC

HNC §819: Unless otherwise expressly agreed, or unless the contracting parties give exclusive credit to the owner, the master of a vessel is personally liable upon his contracts relative to the vessel, even whe

What this law says, in plain English

A vessel's master is personally liable for contracts related to the vessel unless the parties agree otherwise or give exclusive credit to the owner.

Read the full statutory text
Unless otherwise expressly agreed, or unless the contracting parties give exclusive credit to the owner, the master of a vessel is personally liable upon his contracts relative to the vessel, even when the owner is also liable.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.