Seafarer working and living rights
Additional dangers
Seafarers may face additional dangers when living onboard ships.
Petrol generators
Ships that use petrol generators must have a risk assessment carried out to make sure they provide:
- sufficient power for accommodation and lighting
- adequate ventilation
- adequate alarms - for example, carbon monoxide alarms
Fumigating cargo spaces
If pesticides are on board a ship, employers must make sure:
- adequate breathing aids are provided for seafarers checking fumigated cargo bulks
- the ship’s destination port is told 24 hours in advance of receiving this cargo
- properly trained personnel check the relevant cargo bulks at port
Illegal drugs
The unauthorised presence of drugs on board a ship can have serious legal implications for seafarers and employers, potentially resulting in:
- heavy fines
- detention of a ship
- imprisonment
- the death penalty