What is MLC 2006 and what rights does it give yacht crew?

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) establishes minimum working and living standards for seafarers including hours of rest limits, minimum leave entitlements, repatriation rights, and medical care. Vessels ordinarily engaged in commercial activities must comply, and those of 500 GT and over on international voyages must be certified; PSC inspectors specifically check MLC records.

MLC 2006, in force since August 2013, is the seafarers' bill of rights. Key requirements:

Working hours: maximum 14 hours work in any 24-hour period, 72 hours in any 7-day period. Minimum 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period, 77 hours in any 7-day period. Hours of rest records must be maintained and signed by both seafarer and master.

Leave: minimum 2.5 days paid annual leave per month of service (30 days/year).

Employment agreements: all crew must hold a Seafarers Employment Agreement (SEA) before departure. Agreements must specify voyage details, compensation, repatriation conditions.

Medical care: crew are entitled to medical care onboard and ashore at no personal cost during employment.

Repatriation: shipowner pays repatriation if the vessel is lost, the crew member is discharged abroad for medical reasons, or employment ends at a foreign port.

Applicability: MLC 2006 applies to yachts ordinarily engaged in commercial activities, such as charter, whatever their size; those of 500 GT and over on international voyages must also carry a Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance. Private yachts are generally exempt.

PSC enforcement: hours of rest records, crew contracts, accommodation standards, and crew complaint procedures are specifically checked during inspections.

Manage your yacht operations in one place

HelmOps handles expenses, crew, maintenance, and compliance documentation — offline-first, mobile-ready.