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Urgent illness, injury or danger? Use the ship's emergency procedures or local emergency services ashore.

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Rights & Welfare

Understand your rights at sea, one question at a time

Contracts, pay, rest, health and complaints, explained in plain language with the records worth keeping and where to get help.

These pages are general education. Your rights depend on the ship's flag, national law, your agreement and any collective agreement. The Maritime Labour Convention is an important starting point, but it does not apply to every vessel in the same way. For a personal situation or deadline, contact a qualified adviser promptly.

Topics

  • Before you sign: the employment agreement

    In preparation

    This guide is being reviewed before publication.

  • Missing or unpaid pay

    In preparation

    This guide is being reviewed before publication.

  • Sick or injured at sea

    In preparation

    This guide is being reviewed before publication.

  • Work and rest hours

    In preparation

    This guide is being reviewed before publication.

  • Complaints and records

    In preparation

    This guide is being reviewed before publication.

Read the official framework

Links checked 20 October 2026. These organisations do not endorse Crew Rights Compass.

Need help with a problem now?

Urgent help first, then official welfare, union and lawyer-finding routes.

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For a fuller reference you can return to throughout a contract: