Minimum requirements for seafarers on Liberian-registered ships under MLC, 2006

Eda Zenic -

On 15 August 2024, the Liberia Maritime Authority issued amended notice MLC-002 on minimum requirements for seafarers working on ships under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.

The notice is directed at shipowners, operators, masters, officers, and authorized classification societies.

Key Sections of the Notice:

1. Applicability:

This notice applies to all individuals employed or engaged in any capacity on board ships to which the MLC, 2006, applies, with certain exceptions as detailed in another Marine Notice (MLC-001).

2. Minimum Age Requirements:

  • Minimum Age: No person under the age of 16 is permitted to work on a ship. Ship cooks must be at least 18 years old.
  • Night Work Restrictions: Seafarers under 18 cannot work at night unless involved in a recognized training program or when the nature of the work is not harmful to their health.
  • Hazardous Work Restrictions: Individuals under 18 are prohibited from engaging in hazardous work that could jeopardize their health and safety.

3. Medical Certificate Requirements:

  • Medical Fitness: All seafarers must have a valid medical certificate from a qualified practitioner before beginning work on a ship, confirming they are medically fit for their duties.
  • Eye and Hearing Tests: The certificate must verify that the seafarer has satisfactory eyesight and hearing, with special attention to color vision when necessary for their work.
  • Validity: Medical certificates are valid for two years (one year for those under 18) and must be issued in English for international voyages. In urgent cases, a temporary dispensation may be granted.

4. Training and Qualifications:

  • Seafarer Identification: All seafarers on Liberian-registered ships must possess a Liberian Seafarers Identification and Record Book (SIRB).
  • Mandatory Training: Seafarers cannot work on a ship unless they are trained or certified as competent for their specific duties, including personal safety training.
  • STCW Compliance: Seafarers covered under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) must be appropriately certified.

5. Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers:

  • Recruitment Services: Recruitment services located in non-MLC ratifying countries must be audited and certified by the Liberian Administration. Those in MLC-ratifying countries must adhere to a standardized system of regulation.
  • Fee Restrictions: Recruitment services cannot charge seafarers for placement services, except for certain document costs like medical certificates, seafarer's books, and passports. Visa costs for employment must be covered by the shipowner.
  • Rights Information: Seafarers must be informed about their rights under the recruitment and placement system, including compensation for any financial losses due to the failure of the recruitment service or shipowner to fulfill their obligations.

Purpose:

The overall purpose of this notice is to ensure that the employment conditions for seafarers on Liberian-registered ships meet international standards, focusing on the protection of human rights, safety at sea, and environmental protection.

Recent Changes:

The notice includes updates, such as the addition of a new paragraph (1.4.4), which emphasizes informing seafarers about their rights in the recruitment process.