SEA contracts under MLC 2006: what must appear

The Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) is the standard labour contract on commercial yachts flagged under MLC 2006. It isn't a cosmetic document: it sets salary, minimum rest hours, leave, medical coverage and repatriation rights. Any clause contravening MLC is unenforceable even if signed.

MLC minimum rest hours: 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period. The 10 can be split in two blocks, one of at least 6 hours. This limit applies to all crew, captain included in theory.

Repatriation: the owner covers the return trip to the crew's home when the contract ends without the seafarer's fault, in case of certified illness, or if the yacht changes to a flag the seafarer isn't authorised to work under. Cost is borne by the owner, not the crew.

Medical coverage: MLC requires insurance covering medical attention on board and ashore during the full engagement. If the yacht has no active policy or the seafarer isn't named, coverage doesn't exist and the owner assumes direct cost.

If your SEA misses a mandatory clause, the right path is to request management in writing to amend it before signing. If already signed, MLC prevails over any contrary contract text. The ITF union and PSC inspections are effective channels to resolve breaches.