TST Engineering Services

Module 2
MLC 2006

Professional Marine Training recap on the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended. Designed for MCA Engineering Oral preparation with structured focus on the convention structure, employment conditions, accommodation, welfare, certification, complaints and enforcement.

Module

2 · MLC

Convention Titles

5 Titles

Certification

MLC + DMLC

Progress

About this module

This recap supports oral preparation by helping you explain not only what the MLC says, but how it is applied onboard. The convention is often described as the seafarers' bill of rights and sits alongside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW as one of the key international pillars of shipping regulation.

Explain the structure of the MLC: Articles, Regulations and Code with Part A and Part B.
List and discuss the five MLC Titles and the main onboard obligations under each.
Apply the rules on SEA, wages, hours of rest, annual leave, medical certificates and repatriation.
Discuss accommodation, food, medical care, complaints, certification and enforcement.

About this module

This module forms part of the TST Engineering Services E-Learning Recap Area. It is intended to reinforce knowledge, identify weak areas and support structured verbal answers during oral examination preparation.

Start module

Module navigation

Use the tiles below to jump straight to the section you want to revise.

OverviewPurpose · structure · scope Title 1Minimum requirements Title 2Conditions of employment Title 3Accommodation · food Title 4Health · welfare Title 5Compliance · enforcement CertificationMLC · DMLC · inspections ComplaintsEscalation and protection Oral focusExam traps and answer style

0 of 8 sections complete

Module 2 8 core sections MIN 654 relevant

Section 1

MLC overview and structure

What the MLC is

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 sets minimum standards for living and working conditions for seafarers.
It is often called the seafarers’ bill of rights and is regarded as the fourth pillar of international shipping alongside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW.
The convention applies broadly to seafarers and ships engaged in ordinary commercial activities, subject to scope and national implementation.

How it is arranged

Articles set out general obligations.
Regulations state the basic rights and principles.
The Code contains Part A mandatory Standards and Part B non-mandatory Guidelines.
The five Titles group the convention into practical subject areas.

Title	Heading	Main themes
Title 1	Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship	Minimum age, medical fitness, training and qualifications, recruitment and placement.
Title 2	Conditions of employment	SEA, wages, hours of rest, leave, repatriation, manning and career opportunities.
Title 3	Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering	Living conditions, sanitary arrangements, galley, food quality and potable water.
Title 4	Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection	Shipowner liability, medical care, occupational health and safety, welfare and social security.
Title 5	Compliance and enforcement	Flag State responsibilities, certification, inspections, Port State control and complaints.

Oral exam focus

When asked what MLC is, go beyond “crew welfare”. Explain that it is an international convention setting minimum living and working standards, implemented through flag-state law, supported by certification and inspections, and enforced by both the Flag State and Port State control.

Section 2

Title 1 · Minimum requirements

Minimum age

No person under 16 may work on a ship.
Young seafarers under 18 have added protections.
Night work is generally prohibited for under-18s, subject to limited training-related exceptions permitted by national law.

Medical fitness

Seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate before beginning work at sea.
Maximum validity is normally 2 years, or 1 year for a seafarer under 18.
Colour vision certificates are subject to separate validity rules under national requirements.

Training and recruitment

Seafarers must be trained or certified as competent for their duties.
Private recruitment and placement services must be regulated.
Seafarers are not to be charged recruitment fees other than limited personal document costs allowed by law.

For cadets and young engineers, mention supervision, a young-person risk assessment, and protection from tasks likely to jeopardise health or safety.

Section 3

Title 2 · Conditions of employment

Seafarers’ Employment Agreement

Every seafarer must have a clear, legally enforceable SEA.
It should include identity details, wages, leave, termination notice, repatriation rights and other required employment particulars.
The seafarer must receive a signed original and a copy must be available onboard.

Wages and leave

Wages must be paid at least monthly.
Seafarers must receive a monthly account of payments due and amounts paid.
Minimum annual leave entitlement is 2.5 calendar days per month of employment.

Topic	Requirement	Exam note
Rest in 24 hours	At least 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period.	May be divided into no more than two periods.
Rest in 7 days	At least 77 hours rest in any 7-day period.	Key fatigue-control benchmark.
Split of rest	One period must be at least 6 hours.	The interval between consecutive rest periods must not exceed 14 hours.
Records	Records of work/rest must be maintained, endorsed by the seafarer and the master or authorised person, and a copy given to the seafarer.	Endorsement intervals must not exceed one month.
Emergency suspension	The master may suspend the schedule of hours of work or rest in an emergency or to give immediate assistance to persons or ships in distress.	Adequate compensatory rest must be provided as soon as practicable.

Oral exam focus

If asked about a breakdown, blackout or UMS call-out that disturbs sleep, give the operational response first, then explain that the disturbance may affect scheduled rest and the seafarer must receive adequate compensatory rest once the emergency is over.

Section 4

Title 3 · Accommodation, recreation, food and catering

Accommodation

Accommodation must be safe, decent, hygienic and maintained in good repair.
Attention is given to space, heating, lighting, ventilation, noise, vibration and sanitary arrangements.
Recreational facilities should be provided as appropriate to the ship type and voyage pattern.

Food and water

Food and drinking water must be of suitable quality, nutritional value and quantity.
Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed.
Inspections of food, drinking water, storage spaces, galleys and equipment must be carried out by or under the authority of the master and recorded.

Practical engineering link

Accommodation ventilation and air-conditioning systems must be maintained effectively.
Poor hygiene in air-handling systems can develop into a crew health issue.
Accommodation defects can become MLC deficiencies if they are not corrected.

Section 5

Title 4 · Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security

Medical care and shipowner liability

Seafarers have the right to prompt access to medical care onboard and ashore.
Shipowners are liable to provide medical care, board and lodging for sick or injured seafarers until recovery or until incapacity is declared permanent, subject to national law.
Medical stores and medical guidance arrangements must be maintained in line with national requirements.

Occupational safety and welfare

Measures are required for occupational safety, accident prevention and onboard health protection.
Seafarers must have access to welfare measures and fair treatment.
Social security protection must be addressed by the competent state in line with the convention.

In an oral exam, connect Title 4 to real shipboard management: PPE provision, safe systems of work, welfare concerns, access to medical treatment, and your duty to act early if crew health or fatigue becomes a risk.

Section 6

Title 5 · Compliance and enforcement

Flag State

The Flag State must implement, inspect and enforce compliance with the convention.
It issues DMLC Part I and, where applicable, the Maritime Labour Certificate.

Port State control

Port State officers may inspect for MLC compliance.
Serious deficiencies or clear grounds can lead to a more detailed inspection and possible detention.

Onboard complaints

Ships must have a fair, effective onboard complaint procedure.
Seafarers must be protected from victimisation for making a complaint.

Section 7

Certification, DMLC and inspection windows

Item	What it is	Key points
Maritime Labour Certificate	Certificate showing that an applicable ship has been inspected and found to meet national requirements implementing MLC.	Required for ships of 500 GT or over engaged in international voyages or operating between ports in another country; valid for up to 5 years, subject to intermediate inspection.
DMLC Part I	Issued by the Flag State.	Lists the national requirements implementing the convention for the 14 inspected areas.
DMLC Part II	Prepared by the shipowner and approved by the Flag State or recognised organisation.	Explains how the shipowner ensures ongoing compliance with Part I.
Intermediate inspection	Inspection during the certificate validity period.	Must be carried out between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary dates of the certificate.
Interim certificate	Temporary certification in limited circumstances.	May be issued for a new ship, change of flag, or when a shipowner takes responsibility for a ship new to them; maximum validity is 6 months.
Financial security	Evidence of cover for repatriation and shipowner liability requirements.	Certificates or documentary evidence should be carried and available for inspection.

Oral exam focus

Do not mix up the MLC certificate with DMLC Part I and Part II. The certificate shows compliance has been verified, Part I states the national requirements, and Part II explains how the shipowner complies onboard.

Section 8

Complaint handling and oral exam application

Basic complaint route

Raise at the lowest appropriate level, often with the head of department or immediate superior.
If not resolved, escalate to the master.
If still unresolved, use the company route stated in the onboard procedure.
A complaint may also be taken to the Flag State or Port State authorities.

Good oral-answer points

Maintain confidentiality and fairness.
Protect the complainant from victimisation.
Keep proper records and follow the documented procedure.
If there is an immediate safety or welfare risk, act at once rather than waiting for a paper process.

How to say this in an MCA oral

“The MLC 2006 sets the minimum living and working standards for seafarers. For me onboard, the key practical areas are proper employment agreements, hours of rest and compensatory rest, decent accommodation and food standards, access to medical care, an effective onboard complaints procedure, and maintaining MLC certification and DMLC compliance. If there is a welfare or fatigue issue, I would treat it as a people-management and safety issue, not just a paperwork issue.”