MLC 2006
MLC 2006 is the Maritime Labour Convention that protects seafarer rights worldwide. It sets minimum requirements for employment contracts, wages, rest hours, and living and working conditions on board. Port State Control can detain vessels that do not comply.
Definition
MLC 2006 is an international labour convention that protects seafarer rights, including contracts, rest hours, and living conditions on board.
What is MLC 2006?
The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) is the ILO's "seafarers' bill of rights" — a comprehensive international treaty that consolidates 68 prior maritime labour instruments. In force since August 2013, it sets minimum working and living standards for seafarers worldwide. MLC 2006 is enforced by Port State Control under the Paris, Tokyo, and other regional MOUs. A vessel found non-compliant with MLC can be detained and the shipowner faces significant liability. For yacht operators, MLC defines the employment, working, and living conditions that every crew member is entitled to regardless of flag state or nationality.
Core MLC 2006 Requirements
MLC 2006 is organised into five Titles, each addressing a different aspect of seafarer rights and welfare.
Title 1 — Minimum Requirements for Seafarers
Minimum age (16, 18 for hazardous work), medical fitness certificate, STCW training, and seafarer recruitment and placement service standards. No crew member under 16 may work on a vessel.
Title 2 — Conditions of Employment
Written Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA), wage entitlements (minimum wage figure set periodically by the ILO Joint Maritime Commission), regulated hours of work or rest (either maximum 14 hours of work in any 24-hour period and 72 hours in any 7-day period, or minimum 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period), paid annual leave (2.5 days per month minimum), and repatriation at shipowner's expense.
Title 3 — Accommodation, Facilities, Food and Catering
Minimum space requirements for sleeping quarters, mess rooms, sanitary facilities, and recreation. Regular health inspections of accommodation. Quality food and drinking water, with adequate provisions for voyage duration.
Title 4 — Health Protection, Medical Care, and Welfare
Medical care on board and ashore at no cost to the seafarer, sick pay continuation, access to shore-based welfare facilities, and safety and accident prevention programs.
Title 5 — Compliance and Enforcement
Flag state responsibilities: issue Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC Certificate) and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) for vessels 500 GT and above in international trade. Port state control: inspect compliance, detain non-compliant vessels. Seafarers have the right to complain directly to PSC.
Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA)
Every crew member must have a written Seafarer Employment Agreement before joining the vessel. The SEA must include: name and date of birth; name and address of the shipowner; place and date of engagement; position; wages (method of calculation, currency, payment frequency); paid annual leave entitlement; termination conditions; health and social security benefits; and repatriation entitlement. Both the seafarer and a representative of the shipowner must sign the SEA. A copy must be kept on board and accessible to the seafarer at all times.
Rest Hours and Fatigue Management
MLC 2006 Regulation 2.3 sets binding limits that apply to all seafarers, expressed either as maximum hours of work (14 hours in any 24-hour period; 72 hours in any 7-day period) or as minimum hours of rest (10 hours in any 24-hour period; 77 hours in any 7-day period). Rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours. Rest hour records must be kept and signed by the master and the seafarer. PSC inspectors routinely check rest hour records. Fatigue-related incidents are treated seriously in marine accident investigations.
MLC for Superyachts
MLC 2006 applies to all yachts ordinarily engaged in commercial activities (charter), whatever their size. Those of 500 GT or above on international voyages must also carry an MLC Certificate and DMLC. Commercial yachts below 500 GT must still meet MLC requirements without holding the certificate; purely private yachts fall outside MLC, but its principles — written employment agreements, proper rest hours, adequate accommodation and food — are increasingly expected by flag states, charter agents, and insurers. PSC can inspect any vessel for compliance with MLC standards regardless of certification status.
How HelmOps Supports MLC Compliance
HelmOps tracks crew documentation including medical certificates, STCW expiry, and rest hour logs. The captain can maintain rest hour records digitally and is alerted to rest hour violations before they become PSC findings. Crew document storage ensures SEAs, medicals, and STCW certificates are organised and accessible during inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manage MLC 2006 in HelmOps
Yacht expenses, maintenance, tasks and trips in one place. Records you add offline sync when the connection returns.
Track crew certificates and rest hours
Certificate expiry reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days. Record MLC hours of rest and export them as a PDF for Port State Control.
No credit card required.
Verified reference
https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/lang--en/index.htm(opens in new tab)
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