ICS have released the fourth edition of their Guidelines on the IMO STCW Convention, which provides advice for shipping companies on how to ensure that they are following safety rules while on board, and remaining compliant with industry standards.
They have compiled a very useful Venn diagram to illustrate MLC and STCW hours of work and rest comparison:
Applies to:
All seafarers
All seafarers
Standard working hours:
Eight Hours per day
Eight Hours per day
Rest days:
One rest day per week
One rest day per week
Calculation of hours:
Hours of work or hours of rest regime can be used*
Hours of work or hours of rest regime can be used*
Payment for additional hours:
Overtime or a day off in lieu for work performed on the day of rest or public holidays
Overtime or a day off in lieu for work performed on the day of rest or public holidays
Exceptions:
Collective bargaining agreements can allow for exceptions to the rest hours
Collective bargaining agreements can allow for exceptions to the rest hours
Young seafarers
Rules on their maximum working hours
Rules on their maximum working hours
Hours of rest regime
can apply to MLC and STCW
can apply to MLC and STCW
Hours of rest cannot be broken up
into more than two periods and
must be at least six hours in length
into more than two periods and
must be at least six hours in length
Intervals between rest periods
must not exceed 14 hours
must not exceed 14 hours
Fatigue is to be considered
Individual records of work and rest
must be maintained and signed by
the master and seafarer
must be maintained and signed by
the master and seafarer
Schedule of working
needs to be posted
needs to be posted
Right of the master to require
a seafarer to perform work for
the immediate safety of the ship,
persons on board and the cargo
a seafarer to perform work for
the immediate safety of the ship,
persons on board and the cargo
Drills must be organised to
minimise the disturbance
of rest periods
minimise the disturbance
of rest periods
Applies to:
Watchkeepers and those with safety/security/pollution prevention duties
Watchkeepers and those with safety/security/pollution prevention duties
Standard working hours:
Not specified
Not specified
Rest days:
Not specified
Not specified
Calculation of hours:
Hours of rest regime only**
Hours of rest regime only**
Payment for additional hours:
Not specified
Not specified
Exceptions:
Flag states may allow exceptions from the required hours of rest but there are restrictions***
Flag states may allow exceptions from the required hours of rest but there are restrictions***
Young seafarers
Not specified
Not specified
* MLC Standard A.2.3.5
Maximum hours of work shall not exceed:
- 14 hours in any 24-hour period; and
- 72 hours in any seven-day period;
or
Minimum hours of rest shall not be less than:
- 10 hours in any 24-hour period; and
- 77 hours in any seven-day period.
** STCW Code – Section A VIII/1
- A minimum of ten hours of rest in any 24-hour period; and
- 77 hours in any seven-day period.
*** STCW Code – Section A-VIII/1
Flag states may allow exceptions from the required hours of rest provided that:
- The rest period is not less than 70 hours in any seven-day period;
- Exceptions from the weekly rest period shall not be allowed for more than two consecutive weeks;
- The intervals between two periods of exceptions on board shall not be less than twice the duration of the exception;
- The hours of rest provided may be divided into no more than three periods, one of which must be at least six hours in length and neither of the other two periods shall be less than one hour in length;
- The intervals between consecutive periods of rest shall not exceed 14 hours; and
- Exceptions shall not extend beyond two 24-hour periods in any seven-day period.
