Maritime and Coastguard Agency LMARINE GUIDANCE NOTE

MGN 600 (M)

Amendment 2

Maritime Labour Convention: Inspection of Coded

Vessels
Notice to all small vessel owners, operators and managers, seafarers, designers,
builders and surveyors

This notice, together with MGN 601(M) and MGN 602(M), replaces MGN 490 Amendment 1
and MGN 491 Amendment 1 published in August 2014. MGN 600 (M) Amendment 2 replaces
MGN 600 (M) Amendment 1

Summary
This note applies to vessels certificated or seeking certification under
• The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure)
Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2771), as amended;
• The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 1998, (SI 1998
No. 1609), as amended; and operating under one of the following Codes or alternative
construction standards:
• The Code of practice for the safety of small commercial motor vessels (the Blue Code)
• The Code of practice for the safety of small commercial sailing vessels (the Yellow
Code)
• The Code of practice for the safety of small vessels in commercial use for sport or
pleasure operating from a nominated departure point (the Red Code)
• The Code of practice for the safety of small workboats and pilot boats (the Brown
Code)
• The Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard 2014
• The Workboat Code Edition 2
• Marine Guidance Note 280(M) Small vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure,
workboats or pilot boats – Alternative construction standards.
Any reference to “the Codes” in this notice refers to the Codes and their equivalences listed
above.
It contains guidance on the arrangements in place for inspection for compliance with the
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (“the MLC”). Amendment 1 includes additional clarification
at paragraph 3.6 relating to the statement to be added to the SCV certificate.
Inspection for compliance with the MLC is not required for vessels operating exclusively on
domestic voyages and within 60 miles of a UK safe haven in the United Kingdom.
However, such vessels are required to comply with the relevant standards. Annex 1 to this
Notice may be used as a checklist of the standards which apply.
Any voyage to or from a port outside the UK is not a domestic voyage.
Substantially equivalent crew accommodation standards are contained in MGN 601(M) (for
vessels under 200GT) and MGN 602(M) (for vessels between 200GT and 500GT).
1
 Amendment 2 introduces editorial changes for consistency with other documents. There are
no changes of substance.

1. Introduction
1.1 The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) came into force internationally on 20 August
2013. The MLC consolidates and updates over 60 maritime labour instruments adopted
by the International Labour Organization (ILO), introduces some new standards, as well
as consolidating and updating existing requirements. The MLC applies to all ships
operating commercially, other than fishing vessels and ships of traditional build (see
paragraphs 2.9 and 2.10. It does not apply to warships or naval auxiliaries (Article II.6). It
applies standards for seafarer living and working conditions in respect of vessels which
were not previously covered by international conventions. The MLC provides a
comprehensive set of global maritime standards for all seafarers on vessels to which the
MLC applies.

1.2 Information on the application of the MLC to UK vessels, and the meaning of “seafarer”,
and “shipowner” are in MGN 471(M). The application of UK MLC regulations to small
vessels is in Section 2 of this notice.

1.3 The MLC has been in force for UK vessels since 7th August 2014, twelve months after the
date on which the UK ratified the Convention. When a UK shipowner wishes to operate in
a country other than the UK, it is their responsibility to ensure that they can demonstrate
that their ship is compliant with the MLC.

1.4 Provision is made in the MLC for “substantial equivalence” where it is not practical to
comply with the full MLC standards set out in part A of the MLC Code. The UK government,
along with shipowner and seafarer representatives in a tripartite working group has
developed crew accommodation standards for small vessels which are substantially
equivalent to the accommodation standards in the MLC. These are published in MGN
601(M) (for vessels under 200GT) and MGN 602(M) (for vessels between 200GT and
500GT).

1.5 While the shipowner is legally responsible for ensuring that the operation of their vessel
complies with all provisions of the MLC, the seafarer also has responsibility to comply with
the relevant conditions for employment set by the MLC (e.g. minimum age, medical
fitness).

1.6 Inspection of small commercial vessels for MLC compliance by the Certifying Authority is
acceptable to the MCA wherever the vessel operates, provided the vessel continues to
meet the conditions of their inspection. However, other Maritime Administrations or Port
State Authorities are under no obligation to accept the UK MLC Small Vessel Inspection
Report and have the right to refuse to allow such vessels to operate in their waters. Some
Maritime Administrations or Port State Authorities may accept UK MLC arrangements for
small commercial vessels if they consider them equivalent to their own. Owners and
operators should check before accepting work abroad.

2. Application of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 to small vessels

2.1 The UK has interpreted “all ships ordinarily engaged in commercial activities” to mean all
vessels that are not pleasure vessels1. The Convention explicitly excludes registered

1 “pleasure vessel means –

(a) any vessel which at the time is is being used is:
(i) in the case of a vessel wholly owned by—
2
 fishing vessels, pleasure vessels, ships of traditional build, warships, or naval auxiliaries
(see section 3).

2.2 The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Survey and Certification)
Regulations 2013 (“the 2013 Regulations”) apply to all United Kingdom ships on
international voyages. This includes United Kingdom ships which operate in the waters of
another State. The 2013 Regulations also apply to United Kingdom ships on domestic
voyages which proceed further than 60 miles from a UK safe haven2.

2.3 Any UK vessel to which the MLC applies in the waters of a State for which the MLC is in
force may be inspected by the port State for compliance with the MLC. Furthermore, any
UK vessel to which the MLC applies, operating in the waters of a State that has ratified
the MLC may receive no more favourable treatment than a vessel flying the flag of that
State under Article V(7) of the MLC.

2.4 Non-UK vessels to which the MLC applies, operating around the UK, including those that
do not make other international voyages are required to comply with the MLC.

2.5 Vessels which are not covered by the MLC – area of operation

2.5.1 The MLC does not apply to vessels navigating exclusively within inland or sheltered
waters or areas where port regulations apply. The UK interpretation of this is that,
under the 2013 Regulations, United Kingdom ships3 operating on domestic voyages
within 60 miles of a UK safe haven do not require an inspection for compliance with
the MLC. A domestic voyage for a UK ship is a voyage that starts and finishes in the
UK without the vessel going to another State.

2.5.2 However, earlier UK legislation covering most of the standards laid down in the MLC
already applied to all seagoing ships regardless of their area of operation, and
therefore the UK’s legislation implementing the MLC also applies to those vessels.
Annex 1 to this notice provides a checklist of those standards as they apply to Coded
vessels.

2.6 Vessels which are not covered by the MLC – types of vessel

2.6.1 The MLC does not apply to registered fishing vessels, pleasure vessels, ships of
traditional build, warships, or naval auxiliaries. However, for the application of
individual provisions of UK law, see the relevant statutory instrument and supporting
guidance.

(aa) an individual or individuals, used only for the sport or pleasure of the owner or the immediate family or friends of the
owner; or(bb) a body corporate, used only for sport or pleasure and on which the persons on board are employees or officers
of the body corporate, or their immediate family or friends; and
(ii) on a voyage or excursion which is one for which the owner does not receive money for or in connection with operating the
vessel or carrying any person, other than as a contribution to the direct expenses of the operation of the vessel incurred during the
voyage or excursion; or
(b) any vessel wholly owned by or on behalf of a members’ club formed for the purpose of sport or pleasure which, at the time it is
being used, is used only for the sport or pleasure of members of that club or their immediate family, and for the use of which any
charges levied are paid into club funds and applied for the general use of the club; and
(c) in the case of any vessel referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above no other payments are made by or on behalf of users of the
vessel other than by the owner.
In this definition “immediate family” means, in relation to an individual, the spouse or civil partner of the individual, and a relative of
the individual or the individual’s spouse or civil partner, and “relative” means brother, sister, ancestor or lineal descendant;

2
“Safe haven” means a harbour or shelter of any kind which affords safe entry and protection from the force of weather.
3
“United Kingdom ship” means a ship which is—
(a) a United Kingdom ship within the meaning of section 85(2) of the Act,
(b)a Government ship within the meaning of section 308(4) of the Act which is ordinarily engaged in commercial maritime
operations, or
a hovercraft registered under the Hovercraft Act 1968(3)
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2.7 MGN 470(M) Amendment 1 lists all of the implementing legislation and supporting
guidance. Merchant Shipping Notices (MSN) and Marine Guidance Notes (MGN) have
been issued to accompany legislative changes. For any MLC requirements other than
crew accommodation, reference should be made to those documents for guidance on the
standards that apply and how to comply with them.

2.8 See Table 1 below which illustrates which small vessels the MLC inspection regime
applies to.

Table 1 – Application of MLC inspection

Small Vessel (Coded)

Large Workboat less

Small Vessel (non-

Registered Fishing

Ship of Traditional
Pleasure vessel

Naval auxiliary
than 500GT

Warship
coded)

Vessel

Build
UK Inland Waters4 x x x x x x x x
UK vessel on a domestic voyage x x x x x x x x
no more than 60 miles from a UK
safe haven
UK vessel on a domestic voyage x ✓ ✓ ✓ x x x x
operating more than 60 miles
from a UK safe haven
UK vessel on an international x ✓ ✓ ✓ x x x x
voyage
Non-UK vessel operating in the x ✓ ✓ ✓ x x x x
UK

✓– The MLC applies in these circumstances

x – The MLC does not apply in these circumstances

For the purposes of this table “small” means <24m load line length, or <150grt if the vessel
was built before 21 July 1968. “Large” means ≥24 metres load line length, or ≥150grt if the
vessel was built before 21 July 1968.

Ships of traditional build

2.9 “Ship of traditional build” means a ship built using traditional construction techniques that
were common when that style of vessel was first built. It does not mean a traditional style
of ship built using modern construction techniques. The purpose of this clause in the MLC
is to preserve traditional ship building techniques.

2.10 The UK will determine case by case whether a particular vessel is a ship of traditional build
and discuss with the owner the application of MLC standards. While it may not be
practicable to apply the accommodation standards to ships of traditional build, the
requirements for SEAs, wages, and other provisions relating to seafarers may still be
applied – or where appropriate, shore-based equivalents – as part of the determination.

4
Inland waters means waters listed in the latest amendment of MSN 1837(M) on the Categorisation of Waters. The latest
amendment at the time of publication of this notice is Amendment 2.
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3. Flag State Inspection
3.1 MCA has authorised the recognised Certifying Authorities to carry out the required MLC
inspections on the vessels that they certify under the Codes. Any owner who wishes to
have their vessel inspected to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the MLC
should contact their Certifying Authority, to arrange for an inspection to take place.

3.2 The MLC requires each vessel to be inspected at least every 36 months. This fits with the
renewal/intermediate survey regime applied under the Codes, and it is anticipated that
vessels will receive an inspection and be issued with a new inspection report at each
initial/renewal and intermediate survey. However, this is not always the case and MLC
inspections may be completed at any time during the vessel’s Code certification cycle.

3.3 There are 16 inspection items under the MLC, which cover between them all provisions of
the MLC:

- Minimum age
- Medical certification
- Qualifications of seafarers
- Seafarers’ employment agreements
- Use of any licensed or certified or regulated private recruitment and placement service
- Hours of work or rest
- Manning levels for the ship
- Accommodation
- On-board recreational facilities
- Food and catering
- Health and safety and accident prevention
- On-board medical care
- On-board complaint procedures
- Payment of wages
- Financial security for repatriation
- Financial security relating to shipowners liability

3.4 The Certifying Authorities will expect to see evidence of compliance for all elements of the
inspection. Some of the items are hardware items which should be easily demonstrable
during the on-board inspection; other elements may be submitted by other means, such
as by electronic means or by post, to demonstrate compliance with the applicable
provisions of the legislation. Further details on what may be inspected and what evidence
of compliance should be provided, as a minimum, may be found in Annex 1 to this Notice.
A list of UK legislation implementing the MLC and supporting guidance is published in
MGN 470(M).

3.5 Shipowners are encouraged to provide the following documents (where applicable) to the
inspector to demonstrate their compliance with the requirements under United Kingdom
legislation implementing the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006:
.1 If applicable, a list of hazardous work for young persons, risk assessment for
workers under 18 years of age, specific to the risks for young persons (see MSN
1838(M) Amendment 1).
.2 Evidence that any Recruitment and Placement Service used was based in a
country which has ratified the MLC, or other evidence of MLC compliance such
as certification by a flag State administration or a report of a successful and
sufficiently thorough audit by the shipowner or suitable third party organisation
.3 Copy of any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement

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 .4 A copy of the Seafarers Employment Agreement(s) for seafarers serving on that
ship
.5 Where the Seafarers Employment Agreement is signed by a representative of the
shipowner, a copy of the manning agreement between the shipowner and the
representative of the shipowner
.6 A copy of the shipowner’s evidence of financial security for repatriation of
seafarers including provision for abandonment of seafarers (e.g. Certificate and
Document of Insurance)
.7 A copy of the shipowner’s evidence of financial security to assure compensation
in case of seafarer’s death or long-term disability due to an occupational injury,
illness or hazard (e.g. Certificate and Document of Insurance).
.8 A copy of the schedule of ship board working arrangements for use on-board the
ship
.9 A copy of the record of daily hours of rest for use on-board the ship
.10 A copy of the shipowner’s health and safety policy (more than five workers only)
.11 A copy of the shipowner’s on-board complaint procedures

3.6 MCA has provided the model format for an Inspection Report to Certifying Authorities for
their surveyors to complete and issue to owners/operators following inspection. A blank
version can be found at Annex 1 to this Note. This report will indicate to port State control
inspectors that the UK/MCA is satisfied that the vessel is compliant with the UK’s national
legislation implementing the MLC. Such a report shall not be issued until the vessel owner
has demonstrated that all elements of the inspection are being complied with to the
satisfaction of the Certifying Authority. A Small Commercial Vessel Certificate or Workboat
Certificate will contain the following statement:

“This certificate is only valid for commercial operation on international voyages or

voyages of more than 60 miles from a UK safe haven with seafarers on board if the
certificate is accompanied by a valid MLC inspection report demonstrating compliance.”

“International voyages” includes, for a UK vessel, voyages to and from a non-UK port. The
vessel is of course still required to comply with the operating limits set by its Code
certification (Cat 0 to Cat 6).

3.7 Certifying Authorities may charge for the additional work they will need to undertake to
confirm that a vessel is compliant with the MLC.

3.8 MCA retains its right to inspect vessels at any time where there are reasonable grounds.
Seafarers have the right to make a complaint to the MCA if they feel they are not receiving
their entitlements under the MLC, as set out in MGN 489(M).

3.9 If in exceptional circumstances the owner needs to engage a Certifying Authority other
than the Certifying Authority for their vessel to carry out the inspection for compliance with
the MLC, they should obtain agreement from their own Certifying Authority in advance, to
ensure that they will accept the evidence of compliance provided by another party for the
purposes of issuing the certificate of compliance under the Codes. Assurance should also
be obtained that the inspection will verify compliance with UK MLC standards for the
vessel, including the substantially equivalent standards for crew accommodation as set
out in MGN 601(M) or MGN 602(M).

4. Certification of small commercial vessels

4.1 Although vessels under 500GT do not need to carry a Maritime Labour Certificate on-
board, the shipowner is entitled to request one. The UK has a substantial fleet of small
6
 commercial vessels that operate overseas that may be subject to inspection, and a
Maritime Labour Certificate provides prima facie evidence of compliance with the MLC to
port State Control officers.

4.2 Where the inspection report referred to in 3.6 above is not considered sufficient and where
a full Maritime Labour Certificate is requested for a vessel, this must be issued by the MCA
in the UK. Application should be made to the MCA for such a certificate to be issued, along
with the inspection report issued by the Certifying Authority for the vessel and copies of
the applicable documentary evidence listed in paragraph 3.5 of this notice. The owner
must also provide a draft MLC Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part II (see
MSN 1848(M) Amendment 2) to the inspector during the inspection who will duly approve
it after a satisfactory MLC inspection. MCA reserves the right to make any final checks
and on-board inspections considered necessary to verify compliance before issuing a
Maritime Labour Certificate. There will be a charge levied by MCA for verifying compliance
and issuing the Maritime Labour Certificate. This will be at the current fee rate at the time.

4.3 Applications for Maritime Labour Certificates should be made to:

Maritime Security & Safety Mgt. Ops. Branch

Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]

5. Port State Inspection

5.1 Port State inspectors are required to accept a Maritime Labour Certificate and should
normally accept documentation issued by or on behalf of the UK declaring that a UK vessel
is compliant with the MLC as prima facie evidence of its compliance. Unless there are
reasonable grounds for the Port State to believe the vessel is not compliant they should
not unduly delay the vessel, but if they have concerns about the validity of the MCA
compliance regime, they should be requested to contact the MCA.

5.2 If there are reasonable grounds for the port State authority to believe that the vessel is not
compliant with the MLC, or the UK’s substantially equivalent standards, they may require
rectification of any deficiencies found prior to the vessel’s departure from port.

5.3 Article V (7) of the MLC requires States to ensure that vessels that fly the flag of any State
that has not ratified the MLC do not receive more favourable treatment than the ships that
fly the flag of any State that has ratified it. MCA may inspect non-UK flagged vessels to
which the Codes apply while operating in UK waters5 in the UK under this provision, where
the flag state has not ratified the MLC, or there is no evidence of MLC inspection by the
flag state.

1. See regulation 4(1)(b) of S.I 1998/1609 and regulation 3(2)(b) of S.I. 1998/2771

7
More Information

Seafarer Safety and Health Branch

Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
Bay 2/17
Spring Place,
105 Commercial Road,
Southampton,
SO15 1EG.

Tel: +44 (0) 203 8172498.

e-mail: [email protected].

Website Address: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency .

General Enquiries: [email protected]

Published: March 2021

Please note that all addresses and
telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.

© Crown Copyright 2021

Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas.

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 ANNEX 1

Certifying
Authority
Logo

MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION, 2006,

SMALL VESSEL INSPECTION REPORT

The shipowner is legally responsible to ensure that all provisions of UK legislation are complied with.

1. Ship’s particulars

1.1. Name of ship: 1.2 Distinctive number or letters:

1.3 Port of Registry: 1.4 Gross tonnage:

1.5 IMO number: 1.6 Type of ship:

1.7 Date of build (if during 2014 include day and month):

1.8 Name and address of shipowner:

1.9 Location of inspection:

1.10 Maximum number of seafarers accommodated on-board:

2. Mandatory Inspection Items

(Guidance is provided in italics)

1. Minimum age YES/NO

1.1 The shipowner has a system in place to verify that seafarers on-board are 16 years of age
or over.

(Minimum age) No person below the age of 16 years shall be employed, engaged or work on
the vessel. A young seafarer is defined as a seafarer under the age of 18.

1.2 Seafarers under 18 years of age are listed on the ALC 1C form. Yes/No/NA

1.3 A risk assessment has been carried out for any employees under 18 years of age, specific Yes/No/NA
to the risks for young persons.

(Hours of rest) There is a prohibition on young seafarers working at night, which as a minimum
must include a period of at least 9 hours starting no later than midnight and ending no earlier
than 0500hrs. However a seafarer aged 16 or 17 may work at night if the work forms part of an
established training programme.

Health and safety protection and accident prevention) Measures shall be put in place to
protect young seafarers from carrying out any work which is likely to jeopardise their health
and safety.

2 Medical certification YES/NO

2.1 If the vessel is operating up to 60 miles from a safe haven, all the seafarers have either a Yes/No/NA
valid ENG1 (or accepted equivalent) or ML5 medical fitness certificate, as appropriate.

9
 2.2 If the vessel is operating more than 60 miles from a safe haven, all the seafarers have a Yes/No/NA
valid ENG1 medical fitness certificate.

2.3 There are no restrictions on the medical fitness certificates that prevent the seafarer from
undertaking their duties on-board.

2.4 The company has a system for ensuring that the seafarers it employs have suitable and
valid medical fitness certificates.

3 Qualifications of seafarers YES/NO

3.1 The skipper has the required certificate of competency for the operating area.

3.2 The mate has the required certificate of competency for the operating area. Yes/No/NA

3.3 There is somebody onboard with the required engineering qualifications. Yes/No/NA

3.4 There are second people available to assist the skipper in an emergency or deemed by the Yes/No/NA
skipper to be experienced.

3.5 The company has a system for ensuring that the seafarers it employs are correctly
qualified for the voyages they undertake.

3.6 The company provides familiarisation training for its seafarers.

4 Seafarers’ Employment Agreements (SEA) YES/NO/NA*

4.1 The SEA complies with the minimum standards.

Shipowners and all seafarers working on the vessel must have a signed original SEA meeting
the minimum requirements in MGN 477(M) on Seafarer Employment Agreements. MCA have
posted a model format of a SEA on their website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mlc-2006-
titles-1-to-5-regulations-guidance-and-information The SEA and any document forming part of
the SEA, if they are not in English should be available onboard with an English translation.
Seafarers shall be given a document in English containing a record of their employment on the
ship.

The SEA must specify arrangements for termination, which must provide for at least 7 days
notice by the shipowner and the seafarer; the shipowner must be required to give as much
notice as the seafarer.

Seafarers must be given a minimum of 2.5 days per month paid leave and a further 8 days in
lieu of UK public holidays. Seafarers are to be granted shore leave to benefit their health and
well-being consistent with the operational requirements of their positions.

The SEA must state the destination for repatriation. Shipowners are prohibited from requiring
seafarers to make an advance payment towards the cost of repatriation.
The SEA must specify the health and social security protection provided by the shipowner (i.e.
medical care, compensation in case of death or long term disability of seafarers due to
occupational injury, illness or hazard)

4.2 All seafarers on-board have a SEA.

4.3 The company has a system for ensuring all seafarers it employs have a SEA.

4.4 Occasional staff have a contract of employment. YES/NO/NA

*N/A where the shipowner is the sole seafarer on-board.

5 Use of any licensed or certified or regulated private recruitment and placement YES/NO/NA
service

5.1 If a recruitment and placement service is used, are they based in a ratifying country?

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Shipowners must only use seafarer recruitment and placement services, certified by ratifying
countries OR recruitment and placement services that can demonstrate conformity to the MLC
requirements for recruitment and placement.

5.2 If the recruitment and placement service is not in a ratifying country has the shipowner
verified their compliance with the MLC?

6 Hours of rest YES/NO

6.1 The schedule is posted up and in compliance with the minimum standard.

6.2 The records of hours of rest are kept in the format required in MSN 1877(M) Amendt 1.

6.3 The standards for minimum hours of rest are being complied with.

The minimum limits on hours of rest provided by the shipowner shall be 10 hours in any 24
hour period, which may be divided into no more than two (2) periods – one of which shall be at
least six (6) hours in length, and no more than 14 hours between any consecutive periods; and
77 hours in any seven day period.

7 Manning levels for the ship YES/NO

7.1 Manning levels are adequate

7.2 There is a procedure for briefing the second person on assisting the skipper.

7.3 The company has a system for ensuring that there are sufficient seafarers/persons on-
board the vessel.

8 Accommodation YES/NO/NA

Applicable to ships constructed on or after 7 August 2014. Ship built prior to 7 August
2014 shall comply with existing national standards in force when they were built or last
substantially modified.

Standard complied with: [Give year of build and title of statutory standard – e.g.
MGN/MSN number, Code title]

8.1 Access/Escape arrangements

8.2 Headroom

8.3 Ventilation

8.4 Air conditioning (≥200GT only)

8.5 Heating and insulation

8.6 Lighting

8.7 Water services and provision

8.8 Hand holds and grab rails

8.9 Sleeping accommodation

8.10 Sanitary facilities

8.11 Laundry facilities (≥200GT only)

8.12 Mess rooms

8.13 Stowage facilities for personal effects

8.14 Machinery space boundaries

11
8.15 Securing of heavy equipment

8.16 Hospital accommodation (15 or more seafarers on a voyage >3 days)

8.17 Protection from mosquitoes

8.18 Master’s inspections

9 On-board recreational facilities YES/NO

9.1 Recreational facilities are provided on-board.

Shipowners to provide appropriate seafarers’ recreational facilities, amenities and services, as

adapted to meet the special needs of seafarers who must live and work on ships. Examples of
recreational facilities include reading and writing facilities and, where practicable, games.

9.2 There is an open deck space provided, with safe access that protects seafarers from the
elements during any rest period.

10 Food and catering YES/NO

10.1 The shipowner has a system in place to verify that adequate food is provided for all
seafarers free of charge.

Food must be supplied free of charge to seafarers and is suitable in terms of quality, nutritional
value, quality and variety.

10.2 The catering facilities on-board are fitted with a sink, a means of cooking and adequate
working surface for the preparation of food. The floor surface in the galley area is non-slip. The
facilities are hygienic.

10.3 The furniture and fittings in the galley are made of a material which is impervious to dirt
and moisture. Metal parts are rust resistant.

10.4 There is adequate ventilation in the galley and a supply of fresh air to discharge fumes to
the open air.

10.5 Gimballed cooking appliances have a crash bar and there is a means of locking the YES/NO/NA
gimbal.

10.6 On sailing vessels there is a means to secure the cook in position with both hands free
for working.

10.7 There are secure and hygienic storage facilities for food and garbage.

10.8 There is a messing area provided which accommodates the greatest number of people
likely to be messing at one time.

10.9 The company has a system for ensuring that there is somebody with accepted food
hygiene training to supervise the preparation and cooking of food for seafarers on-board the
vessel.

11 Health and safety and accident prevention YES/NO

11.1 There are written risk assessments, or the inspector is satisfied that crew have
demonstrated that they are aware of the risks verbally.

11.2 There are no obvious health and safety problems.

The shipowner shall ensure as far as practicable, the health and safety of seafarers on-board
the ship. In carrying out this duty the shipowner shall ensure reasonable precautions are taken
to prevent occupational accidents, injuries and diseases on-board ship.

11.3 Complaints from seafarers are being suitably dealt with.

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 11.4 Where there are 5 or more crew members there are records of safety committee
meetings.

12 On-board medical care YES/NO

12.1 Medical stores are in accordance with MSN 1768 and in date.

12.2 There is somebody on-board with adequate first aid training.

For vessels operating internationally, the skipper and/or another member of the crew must
hold a valid First Aid or Medical Care qualification in accordance with Annex 3 of the Code.

12.3 The shipowner has a system for ensuring that there is somebody with first aid training on-
board the vessel.

12.4 The shipowner has a system in place to verify that the skipper is aware of how to contact
the Radio Medical Advice Service.

12.5 There are records kept of all medical care undertaken on-board.

12.6 Seafarers have access to medical care ashore overseas.

Medical care on-board and ashore requires that the cost of medical and dental treatment for
seafarers is borne by the shipowner. Seafarers have the right to visit a qualified medical doctor
or dentist without delay in ports of call, where practicable.

13 On-board complaint procedures YES/NO/NA*

13.1 There is a complaints procedure posted up which is available to seafarers.

The on-board complaints procedure requires that shipowners must ensure their ships have on-
board procedures for the fair, effective and expeditious handling of seafarer complaints.
Seafarers must not be victimised for raising complaints and have the right to be accompanied
or represented.

13.2 The complaints procedure includes details of who to contact in the MCA if the complaint
is not resolved.

The complaints procedure must allow for complaints directly to the Master and to the MCA if
the complaint is not resolved.

13.3 Where complaints have been recorded have they been resolved. Yes/No/NA**

*Where the shipowner is the sole seafarer on-board

**Where there are no complaints received

14 Payment of wages YES/NO/NA*

14.1 Payment of wages is in accordance with the SEA.

Payment of wages defines the principles applying to the payment and calculation of basic pay
and wages which are partially or fully consolidated.

14.2 Payment of wages is at least monthly.

All seafarers shall receive a monthly account of their wages.

14.3 There is provision for allotments.

Shipowners are required to take measures to provide seafarers with a means to transit all or
part of their earnings to their families or dependents or legal beneficiaries.

14.4There are no unauthorised deductions.

The following deductions from seafarers’ wages are permitted –

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 Deductions permitted by UK legislation, or agreed to in a Collective Bargaining Agreement; on-
board purchases, telecommunication calls and internet access, cash advances, allotments,
contributions by the seafarer in relation to any pension fund, charity, and in respect of
membership of a body to a trade union and friendly society.

No deduction can be made from a seafarers’ wage in respect of obtaining or retaining

employment.

Monetary fines against seafarers other than those authorised in a Collective Bargaining
Agreement are prohibited. See MGN 474(M) regarding recovery of costs in cases of gross
misconduct.

14.5 Where possible, seafarers confirm that their wages are being paid in accordance with the
SEA

* N/A where the shipowner is the sole seafarer on-board.

Financial security YES/NO

15. Evidence provided that shipowner has in place financial security in compliance with MLC
Standard A2.5.2 to ensure that seafarers are duly repatriated (including abandonment). (MGN
480(M) Amendment 2)

16. Evidence provided that shipowner has in place financial security in compliance with MLC
Standard A4.2.1 for compensation in case of death or long term disability of seafarers due to
occupational injury, illness or death. (MGN 480(M) Amendment 2)

3. Declarations

Shipowner’s declaration

I declare that I will continue to comply with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, for the
validity of this inspection report.

Shipowner name: …………………………………………

Name of signatory of the shipowner: …………………… Signed: ……………………………………

Date: ………………………………………………………

Inspector’s declaration

I declare that I have reviewed the above measures and, following inspection of the ship, I have determined that they
meet the purposes set out in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, Standard A5.1.3, paragraph 1.

Inspector name: …………………………….

Signed: ………………………………………

Of [insert name of Certifying Authority] authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Date of Inspection:…………………………… This Inspection Report is valid until………………………………….

(maximum of 3 years from date of inspection date)

This report is to be retained onboard with the Code vessel certificate for a period of 3 years and must be
made available for consultation by MCA officers at all times.

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