Captains and Yacht managers, when was the last time you reviewed the crew contracts/agreements that you have in place for seafarers working on superyachts?
It pays to regularly review the content of crew contracts. It is crucial these days to make sure you are up to date with all the changes flag states are making.
These changes are being brought about by two main events that are affecting the whole of the maritime industry, namely both the:
- Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006)
- Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention (STCW 2010)
These two events are the driving force behind changes to seafarers’ employment law in each of the flag state jurisdictions. Most governments, if they have not already done so, will need to either introduce new laws or revise existing laws in order to meet their obligations under MLC 2006 and STCW 2010.
So what can you do to help ease the transition from the contracts that you are using now, to what will be required under these two conventions?
John Cook of Lesia Employment Services ICC Limited recommends a thorough review of the current contracts that you have in place to bring them in line with the core elements of both MLC 2006 and STCW 2010.
By taking this action now you will have only minor amendments to make when each flag state publishes the additional requirements that will be required to meet seafarer employment laws in its own territory.
There will be enough to do when MLC 2006 enters into force without having to scramble around at the last minute to bring these documents up to date.
Don’t forget the Seafarers’ Employment Agreement is one of the 14 items to be inspected by the flag state inspector under MLC 2006.
You can never be too well prepared!