Working at sea gives you freedom, responsibility, and a sense of purpose few other professions offer. But it also places you in a highly regulated environment — one where safety, fairness, and welfare are written into international law. Every marine and offshore worker must understand these protections, from ITF wage standards to MLC accommodation rules and insurance coverage.
This guide from SeaEmploy.com explains, in plain words, what every crew member needs to know about their rights on board: fair pay, insurance, rest hours, meals, and complaint channels. Whether you work on a cargo ship, offshore unit, or cruise vessel, this information applies to you.
Your Rights as Marine and Offshore Workers
Two key conventions protect every seafarer:
- STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) – defines qualification and competency.
- MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention) – defines working and living standards for all seafarers.
The MLC, known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights, covers almost every aspect of shipboard life — from cabin size and working hours to food, health insurance, and complaint procedures. You can read the full convention here:
👉 International Labour Organization – Maritime Labour Convention 2006
Fair Pay and ITF Protection
Your pay is governed by both your contract and international agreements. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) negotiates global wage standards for seafarers and offshore workers.
Minimum Wage Standards
The current ITF-approved minimum monthly wage for an able seafarer is USD $1,641. Rates are higher for officers and engineers, depending on flag and position.
👉 ITF Seafarers – Minimum Wage Standards
Your Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) should clearly state:
- Basic monthly wage
- Overtime rate (often 1.25x the base rate)
- Currency and method of payment
- Frequency of wage payment (monthly or bi-weekly)
- Annual leave entitlement
If your company pays less than the ITF minimum, delays salary, or deducts costs unfairly, you have the right to contact an ITF inspector or your flag authority. Many major ports have ITF representatives ready to handle wage complaints.
Health, Life, and Insurance Coverage
Every seafarer is entitled to full medical care, insurance, and repatriation rights. Shipowners must provide this coverage from the day you join the vessel.
Minimum Protection Includes
- Free medical treatment on board and ashore.
- Sick pay if you are injured or ill.
- Repatriation costs covered by the company.
- Compensation in case of death or long-term disability.
Most vessels are insured under Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, which cover:
- Crew medical expenses
- Repatriation and burial costs
- Loss of personal effects
- Legal and compensation claims
Official list: International Group of P&I Clubs
Before joining, always ask which P&I Club covers your vessel and what limits apply. This information should be available through your ship’s safety management documentation or company intranet.
Accommodation, Food, and Daily Life
The Maritime Labour Convention ensures that every seafarer lives and eats in safe, decent conditions.
- Cabin size: Minimum 4.5 m² for single-occupancy rooms on new ships.
- Lighting and ventilation: Each cabin must have a porthole or equivalent natural light and proper air conditioning.
- Sanitation: Private bathroom for officers; shared facilities for ratings (in good condition).
- Recreation: Access to internet, gym, or social space on modern vessels.
👉 ILO – MLC Title 3: Accommodation and Welfare
Meals and Coffee Breaks
Food must be nutritious, safe, and provided free of charge. The ship’s cook must be qualified under STCW, and meals should include:
- At least three hot meals per day.
- Adequate portions of protein, vegetables, and fruit.
- Clean drinking water at all times.
- Regular coffee breaks during working hours (common practice on commercial and offshore vessels).
Inspectors regularly check menu rotation and food quality under MLC audits. If meals are poor or insufficient, seafarers have the right to report it — first to the ship’s Designated Person Ashore (DPA), and if unresolved, to flag-state inspectors.
Complaint Channels and the Role of the DPA
Every company covered under the ISM Code (International Safety Management) must appoint a Designated Person Ashore (DPA).
The DPA is your direct contact for reporting safety, welfare, or labor concerns without fear of retaliation. Their contact details must be clearly displayed on board — usually on the ship’s noticeboard or safety management manual.
If you have any complaint regarding wages, accommodation, food, or fatigue:
- Report it internally to your superior or DPA.
- If ignored, contact your flag administration or ITF representative.
- You can also report anonymously to the Port State Control (PSC) during inspections.
Rest Hours and Attendance
Fatigue is one of the biggest risks at sea, so rest hours are legally protected. Both STCW and MLC require:
- 10 hours of rest within every 24 hours
- 77 hours of rest every 7 days
Rest can be split into two periods, one of which must last at least 6 hours.
👉 IMO STCW Rest Hours
Every vessel must maintain attendance and rest logs, and you can request to see yours at any time. Companies must also ensure proper watch rotation to avoid overwork.
Travel, Luggage, and Repatriation
Your employer must cover your travel expenses to and from the ship, including:
- Airfare
- Transit accommodation
- Visa fees
- Luggage allowance (commonly 30 kg minimum)
If your contract ends early or you are repatriated for health or operational reasons, the company must still pay these costs — not you.
Offshore-Specific Safety and Company Standards
In offshore work — such as oil, gas, and drilling operations — additional Safety Management Systems (SMS) often apply alongside IMO and MLC regulations.
Companies operating under ARAMCO, Petrobras, ADNOC, Petronas, or ENI/AGIP standards often have stricter safety and welfare requirements. These may include:
- Enhanced HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) training.
- Higher minimum rest periods.
- Additional insurance and medical coverage for offshore risk.
- Strict food and accommodation audits.
These systems must comply with IMO and MLC rules — but in practice, they often exceed them, offering extra protection for offshore workers.
Union and Collective Bargaining Protection
National unions like the Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU) and the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) negotiate collective agreements that go beyond minimum standards.
These CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements) ensure:
- Higher wages and overtime rates.
- Extra leave benefits.
- Defined repatriation and welfare clauses.
👉 Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU)
👉 Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU)
👉 ITF Global Seafarers
Before signing any contract, ask which CBA or flag applies to your ship.
Being a marine or offshore worker means being part of a global workforce protected by international law. But rights only matter when you know how to use them.
