1. Recruitment and Placement
The agency finds and places seafarers in jobs on ships, making sure:
- The jobs are fair and legal.
- Seafarers are qualified and meet the requirements for the job.
- Verifying identities of seafarers
- Verifying the validity of qualifications
- Operating no blacklist of any kind
- Data protection regulations are fully complied with
2. Ensures Fair Employment Conditions
They ensure that seafarers' employment contracts (also known as Seafarers’ Employment Agreements or SEAs) comply with MLC 2006 standards. This includes:
- Seafarers have clear contracts that explain their pay, working conditions, and benefits.
- Contracts are signed and understood by both the seafarer and the shipowner.
- The seafarer has the opportunity to review the contract before signing and receives a copy once it is signed by both the candidate and the employer
3. No Fees for Seafarers
The agency cannot charge seafarers recruitment fees for finding them a job. MLC 2006 requires that any costs are covered by the shipowner, not the seafarer.
4. Safety and Health Protections
The agency ensures that seafarers are employed on ships that meet safety and health regulations:
- The ships are safe and provide proper living and working conditions.
- Seafarers receive medical care and health protections while working.
5. Compliance with Laws
The agency complies with both MLC 2006 and any local laws where they operate, ensuring they are properly licensed and regulated.
6. We Operate our Company Crew Abandonment Policy in Accordance with MLC A1.4.5(c)(vi)
SI 2014 & No. 1615 R&P Regs 6(2)
7. Venture Yacht Crew does not operate any blacklist or something similar in any way.
In Summary:
An MLC 2006 crew agency recruits seafarers for jobs on ships while ensuring that both the candidates and employers follow the MLC 2006 rules. These rules protect the seafarers by ensuring fair treatment, proper pay, safe working conditions, and no recruitment fees for candidates.
Hours of Work and rest
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is about seafarers' working hours under the MLC 2006. Here's a simple breakdown:
1. Maximum Working Hours
Seafarers can work a maximum of:
14 hours in any 24-hour period.
72 hours in any seven-day period.
2. Minimum Rest Hours seafarers are entitled to:
At least 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period.
At least 77 hours of rest over seven days.
3. How Rest Hours Can Be Taken
Rest can be split into two periods, but one period must be at least 6 hours long.
The time between two rest periods must not exceed 14 hours.
4. Exceptions
In emergencies or during urgent operations, these hours may be adjusted temporarily, but seafarers must be allowed to recover afterward.
5. Work Schedules and Records
A work schedule must be posted on the ship, showing working and rest times.
Accurate records of hours must be kept for inspection purposes.
These rules are vital to prevent fatigue, ensure seafarers’ safety, and balance their working conditions with adequate rest.