What are the MLC minimum rest hour requirements?

MLC Standard A2.3 requires minimum 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period and minimum 77 hours rest in any 7-day period. Rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours. These are minimum requirements — flag states may impose stricter standards.

How does rest hours compliance affect PSC inspections?

Port State Control inspectors routinely check hours-of-work-and-rest records. Records must be kept in a standardised form, signed by the master and the seafarer at the end of each month. Violations are a detainable deficiency under MLC Title 5.

Who does the MLC rest hours requirement apply to?

MLC rest hour requirements apply to all seafarers on vessels subject to MLC — generally commercial vessels of 500 GT or above, and vessels certified to carry 15 or more persons. Watchkeeping officers and ratings are the primary focus. All commercial yacht crew should be covered by the vessel's rest hour policy regardless of vessel size.

Free maritime tool

MLC Rest Hours Validator

Check a 7-day watch schedule against MLC 2006 and STCW rest hour thresholds.

Minimum 10h rest in any 24h period; minimum 77h rest in any 7-day period (MLC Standard A2.3)

MonHours workedTueHours workedWedHours workedThuHours workedFriHours workedSatHours workedSunHours worked

Day	Worked	Rest	Daily verdict
Mon	12.0h	12.0h	Pass
Tue	12.0h	12.0h	Pass
Wed	12.0h	12.0h	Pass
Thu	12.0h	12.0h	Pass
Fri	12.0h	12.0h	Pass
Sat	10.0h	14.0h	Pass
Sun	8.0h	16.0h	Pass

Compliant schedule

Weekly rest: 90.0h / 77h minimum. Daily rule: passed.