13 Things Sailors Must Keep in Mind about Their Sea Job Contract

Working at sea can be a dream turned into reality for any person who has harbored even slight love for the sea. However, at end of the day, it is a job that you need to be careful about. It is important that a sailor reviews his contract carefully before signing it, for maximum safety against unprecedented events.


Here is a list of things that a sailor must look for in his/her sea contract.

1.       Written contract – Get your Own Copy

A written contract is more than necessary before you join a sea job. Verbal agreement or vocal mutual consent can be risky, even if working with acquaintances. Always make sure you own your personal copy of a written contract for all future references.

2.       Know what you are signing in for

Work at sea can be just as exhausting as it can be thrilling. So it is important you go through your sea contract thoroughly before signing it. Your signature is your consent for everything mentioned in the contract and waives your right for any reverting in future. Hence, read carefully. Always!

3.       Show faith in work, not in contract

Signing a blank contract in name of faith on the other party can be a fatal decision. NEVER sign a blank contract, even if it is just a blank paper. Your signature makes it appropriate for any legitimate purposes.

4.       Consult guidelines

Clauses of a sea contract should be assigned in accordance with guidelines of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in shipping, to be precise. This agreement grants you rights in a sea job like right to form trade unions which are counted as basic human rights in any job.

Hence, your contract cannot debar you from such rights example right to consult or form trade unions, wage scales etc. It is important to cross check your sea contract with CBA.

5.       Mutual consent

When you sign a contract, make sure it does not grant right for any alterations in any of the aspects of working on sea to one party alone. Your contract should ensure that any such changes in contract can only be made through mutual consent, which should be suitably notified.

6.       Time duration

Check that the work duration of your sea job is clearly mentioned in your contract. Any clause suggesting a chance for change in the duration, extension without consultation should be flagged and appropriately considered before you sign the contract. Also, make sure your contract mentions compensation for premature termination of contract, conditions for extension of contract and penalty for quitting job before contract maturity.

7.       Working conditions

The contract should clearly mention the working conditions of a sailor job especially the basic amenities. Working hours, working days and paid leaves should be clearly and separately mentioned in the contract. Absence of these clauses or ambiguity in their nature should be an alert sign.

These conditions are set by International Labor Organization. Make sure your contract adheres to the minimum standards set by ILO. For example, ILO states that no sailor can be made to work on ship for more than 48 hours per week with a minimum paid leaves of 2.5 days per month.

8.       Pay scale 

A sailor job should adhere to pay scale standards set by ILO. And this pay scale should be clearly mentioned in the contract. Make sure there is no clause in your contract stating any possibility of change in pay scale without your consent or prior notice.

Also, ILO sets standards for compensation for overtime which should be at least 1.25X the normal pay grade. It is important your contract mentions compensation for the overtime you’d do while working on ship.

9.       Compensation for damages 

A contract at sea should clearly state clauses for compensation of any damage during time on ship. Loss of property, physical injury, mental or psychological trauma and death (compensation to mentioned beneficiary) should be provided for due compensation.

10.   Fine print and conditions applied 

Check the sea contract for any fine print clauses that may be mentioned. Withholding salary, unsuitable working conditions or waiver of any of the rights mentioned as basic human rights under CBA are unacceptable clauses. Do not sign a contract if it mentions any such clauses especially any scope of change in future without notification.

11.   Deeming responsible 

Make sure the contract does not unknowingly make you liable for being held responsible for any kind of damages that may occur during your sea job. Loss of vessel, losses incurred due to such circumstance,pirate attacks, ship safety etc are unfavorable conditions that a sailor cannot be held responsible for unless mentioned in his contract.

You cannot be deemed responsible for the same unless the contract has been signed by you in full knowledge.

12.   International guidelines and not of a private region

Your contract should be made in accordance with guidelines of international authorities. A clause mentioning a particular region as the place of jurisdiction for the contract at sea should be considered.

13.   Discretion

Keep in mind that a contract you sign legally binds you in all the clauses mentioned in it. Hence, always make sure you read it carefully and consider all the clauses and their implications before you sign it.

Work at sea is a fun experience especially for those who love it. But it is in your hands to make sure that you receive due perks for the same. All sea job contracts should be thoroughly read and then only signed.