There’s a moment every seafarer knows well — the phone call or email that says, “Your vessel is confirmed. Joining details to follow.”
You feel that mix of excitement and focus: the mind starts running through packing lists, travel plans, and maybe even a mental image of the vessel you’ll soon call home.
But there’s something else that should be your first stop before you even think about rolling up your socks — your Seaman Employment Agreement (also called a Seafarer’s Contract Letter).
This isn’t just a joining formality. It’s not “just paperwork.” This document is the single most important shield you have at sea. It defines your pay, your rights, your working conditions, and even how — and when — you get home. Once you step onboard, this contract is the rulebook that applies to you, often more than the laws back home.
Over my years of sailing, I’ve seen new crew sign without reading, just to “get it over with.” And I’ve also seen what happens when that fine print comes back to bite them. You don’t want to learn those lessons the hard way.
Let’s walk through what every seafarer — from deck cadet to master — should check before signing. And we won’t do this like a legal lecture. This is the kind of advice you’d get over coffee in the ship’s mess room from someone who’s been through it all.
Start With Your Name — It Sounds Silly, But It Isn’t
It takes exactly one wrong letter in your name to create a world of trouble. I’ve seen wages delayed for months because the bank rejected transfers over a spelling mismatch. Immigration officials have refused shore passes because of a missing middle name.
Your name in the contract must match exactly what’s in your passport and CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate). Not “close enough,” not “we’ll fix it later.” Exact.
While you’re at it, confirm your date of birth, nationality, passport number, CDC number, and seafarer’s ID.
Vessel Details — Know Where You’re Going and Who You’re Working For
The contract should clearly mention:
The vessel name and IMO number
The flag state
The vessel type (tanker, bulk carrier, container, etc.)
Basic details like gross tonnage and engine type (for engineers)
Why this matters: the flag state decides which maritime laws you’ll be under, the type of vessel affects working conditions, and knowing the trade area helps you prepare mentally and physically. If the contract only says “assigned vessel” with no details, ask for clarification.
Your Rank — Don’t Let the Paper Downgrade You
If you agreed to sail as 3rd Officer, the contract must say 3rd Officer. Not “Junior Officer” or some vague “Deck Officer.”
Your official rank affects your pay, your authority onboard, and even your career record later when applying for higher positions.
Contract Duration — Clear, Fixed, and Fair
Most contracts are written like “6 months ± 1 month.” That means you could be signed off after 5 months, or kept until 7 months, depending on operational needs. This is standard — but you should still make sure there’s a limit.
Be especially careful if the contract says “until relieved” without a maximum period. That can sometimes mean indefinite extensions. At sea, even one extra unexpected month can feel like forever.
Wages — Look Beyond the Big Number
The figure in bold is usually the basic wage. But the real picture is basic wage plus overtime plus leave pay plus bonuses. Check for:
How overtime is calculated (fixed or actual hours worked)
Whether there’s a cap on overtime hours
Payment currency and bank transfer frequency
Any promised joining bonus, safety bonus, or completion bonus
If any of these were discussed during hiring, they need to be on paper — verbal promises don’t count at sea.
Leave and Repatriation — Your Ticket Home
The contract must clearly state your leave entitlement and how repatriation works:
Who pays for your ticket home
From which port the company will repatriate you
Whether you have the right to be sent home in case of injury, illness, or family emergency
This is not a detail to overlook. I once sailed with a colleague who had to fight for three weeks just to get a ticket home after his father passed — because his contract didn’t have a clear repatriation clause.
Medical Coverage — Know Your Safety Net
Good companies provide full medical care during your time onboard, and some extend coverage for a certain period after sign-off for work-related injuries.
Your contract should state:
If medical care is provided ashore when in port
If dental is covered
How work-related injuries are handled
Who pays for hospitalisation
Also check the compensation amounts in case of disability or death. These can vary greatly.
Working Hours and Rest Hours — Your Right to Rest
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) states you cannot be made to work more than 14 hours in a 24-hour period, and you must have at least 10 hours of rest. These rest hours can be split, but not into more than two periods, and one of them must be at least 6 hours.
If your contract doesn’t follow this, it’s a red flag. Fatigue at sea isn’t just exhausting — it’s dangerous.
Next of Kin (N-O-K) — Update It Before Every Voyage
Your Next of Kin details are more important than many realise. This is the person the company will contact in emergencies, and who will receive benefits if the worst happens. Make sure their name, address, and contact number are current. Outdated details can delay emergency help or benefit payments.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution — If Things Go South
If you sail under a foreign flag, disputes are often handled according to that country’s laws. Your contract should state which country’s law applies, and where disputes will be settled. If you’re on an ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) ship, you’ll have union protection — a big advantage.
A Special Note for Indian Seafarers — RPSL Compliance is Not Optional
If you’re an Indian national joining through an Indian crewing agency, make sure the agency has a valid Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) from the Directorate General of Shipping.
Ask for the RPSL number, check it on the DG Shipping website, and ensure the licence is valid. This is your legal safety net — without it, DG Shipping can’t intervene if things go wrong.
Check the complete list on DG Shipping webiste link as below
http://220.156.189.33/esamudraUI/rpslSummaryList.do?method=summaryDetailsOfRPSL
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Signing your Employment Agreement is like setting your ship’s course. Get it right, and the voyage is smooth. Miss the details, and you could find yourself in rough seas — unpaid wages, endless contract extensions, no ticket home, or worse.
Once you’re at sea, changing the contract is next to impossible. That’s why the time to speak up is before you sign, not after you sail.
