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Reading Your Contract: MLC Basics Every Crew Member Should Know
Rest hours, repatriation, notice periods and what a fair seafarer employment agreement looks like.
The Crew Atelier · 6 min read
The framework
The Maritime Labour Convention sets minimum standards for seafarers, including commercially registered yachts. Your Seafarer Employment Agreement should reflect it.
Check these clauses
- Rest hours — minimum rest periods and how they are recorded
- Repatriation — who pays your flight home and when
- Notice period — should be reciprocal
- Leave — accrual rate and whether it is paid
- Medical cover — insurance and what happens if you are injured on board
- Salary — currency, pay date and whether tips are mentioned
Red flags
No written agreement, a probation clause with zero notice, or repatriation costs charged to you on resignation.
Private vs commercial
Privately registered yachts may not be bound by every MLC provision, but a professional operation will still issue a proper agreement.
Before you sign
Read it fully, ask questions in writing, and keep a signed copy off the boat. A captain who resents you reading your own contract has told you something useful.