Guidance

Complying with seafarer wage and working condition requirements

Instruction, for operators and harbour authorities, on complying with regulations on seafarer wages and working conditions

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 10 October 2024
• Last updated: 4 November 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Guidance on seafarers' wages and working conditions

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Guidance to assist harbour authorities and service operators comply with the Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) Act 2023, the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024 and Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) Regulations 2026.

The guidance provides practical advice and examples explaining:

• the duties on harbour authorities
• providing national minimum wage equivalence declarations, or remuneration and safe working declarations
• surcharges for failing to provide a declaration
• the refusal of access to ports for failure to pay a surcharge
• calculating pay
• the rules on maximum periods onboard vessels

• Last updated: 4 November 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 4 November 2026

     Guidance amended to take into account the Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) 2026.

  2. 1 April 2025

     Seafarer wage increased in line with national minimum wage.

  3. 10 October 2024

     First published.