Seafarer working and living rights
Safe working practices
All UK ships must carry copies of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen’, unless it’s a fishing boat or pleasure vessel.
Safe manning of ships
Employers must ensure their ships have enough properly trained and certificated officers so that it can operate safely at all times.
There must also be sufficient food on board for the number of seafarers serving.
Read more in ‘Merchant Shipping Notice 1868 (M) UK requirements for safe manning and watchkeeping’.
Noise and vibration
A seafarer’s employer must carry out risk assessments to identify who’s at risk from noise or vibration in their work and what can be done to reduce or remove these risks.
Protective personal equipment (PPE)
A seafarer’s employer must give them suitable protective equipment if they’re performing dangerous tasks.
You can find further information in the code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers.