What to Check in a Seafarer’s Contract Before Joining a Vessel
What to check in a seafarer’s contract before joining a vessel is a basic review of whether the written terms match what you are being offered and whether you understand your duties before boarding.
Can you join a vessel without a signed contract?
You should not start work on board without a signed contract. Legal guidance for seafarers directly says not to start work without a signed contract and not to sign a document that refers to duties or working conditions that are not clearly stated or that you have not reviewed.
Before signing, check that the contract clearly states:
- your personal details;
- your rank on board;
- wages and payments;
- paid leave or how it is calculated;
- repatriation terms;
- duties and working conditions you understand.
If a condition is not written in the contract or in a document directly referenced by the contract, do not rely only on verbal explanations. Separately, verify that the shipowner and vessel details match; use our guide on how to check a shipowner before signing a contract.
What if the contract refers to a collective agreement?
If the contract refers to a collective agreement, read its terms before signing. It is not enough to see a reference; you need to understand what conditions it adds to your contract.
In practice: ask for a copy of the collective agreement, keep it with your contract, and leave one copy with your family before joining the vessel. This recommendation is directly stated in legal guidance for seafarers.
Which clauses deserve a second read?
Read most carefully the clauses that affect money, working period, and return home. International guidance on the Seafarer Employment Agreement recommends reading every section before joining, checking personal details, rank, wages, benefits, paid leave calculation, repatriation, and compliance with MLC requirements.
| Clause | What to check |
|---|---|
| Rank | Whether it matches the agreement |
| Pay | Amount, currency, payment structure |
| Leave | How it is calculated and paid |
| Repatriation | What return-home terms are included |
| Extra terms | No references to unknown rules or documents |
When should you seek advice?
Seek advice before signing if any clause is unclear or if you are not given a chance to review the terms referenced by the contract. It is better to check the contract ashore than clarify basic terms after boarding.
Before joining, keep physical or digital copies of the contract and important attachments. International guidance also recommends not relying only on verbal assurances and retaining copies of documents.