The MCA has recognised Medusa Marine, as a nominated surveyor of the YDSA Certifying Authority to carry out the required MLC inspections on the vessels that they certify under the Codes. Any owner who wishes to have their vessel inspected to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the MLC should contact either Medusa Marine or the YDSA Certifying Authority, to arrange for an inspection to take place.

The MLC requires each vessel to be inspected at least every 36 months. This fits with the renewal/intermediate survey regime applied under the SCV Codes. It is anticipated that vessels will receive an inspection and be issued with a new inspection report at each initial/renewal and intermediate survey. However, this is not always the case and MLC inspections may be completed at any time during the vessel’s SCV Code certification cycle.

There are 16 inspection items under the MLC which cover between them all provisions of the MLC. They are:

Minimum age

Medical certification

Qualifications of seafarers

Seafarers’ employment agreements

Use of any licensed or certified or regulated private recruitment and placement service

Hours of work or rest

Manning levels for the ship

Accommodation

On-board recreational facilities

Food and catering

Health and safety and accident prevention

On-board medical care

On-board complaint procedures

Payment of wages

Financial security for repatriation

Financial security relating to owners liability

The Certifying Authority surveyor will expect to see evidence of compliance for all elements of the inspection. Some of the items are hardware items which should be easily demonstrable during the on-board inspection. Others are documentary elements and the vessels owners are encouraged to provide the following documents where applicable to demonstrate their compliance with the requirements under the MLC:

A risk assessment for any workers under 18 years of age, specific to the risks for young persons.

A proof that any Recruitment and Placement Service for used was based in a country which has ratified the MLC.

A copy of any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement

A copy of the Seafarers Employment Agreement for seafarers serving on the vessel.

A copy of any manning agreement between the shipowner and the representative of the shipowner where the Seafarers Employment Agreement is signed by a representative of the shipowner,

A copy of the shipowner’s evidence of financial security for repatriation of seafarers including provision for abandonment of seafarers (e.g. Certificate and Document of Insurance)

A copy of the shipowner’s evidence of financial security to assure compensation in case of seafarer’s death or long-term disability due to an occupational injury, illness or hazard (e.g. Certificate and Document of Insurance)

A copy of the form of ship board working arrangements for use on-board the ship

A copy of the form of the record of daily hours of rest for use on-board the ship

A copy of the shipowner’s health and safety policy

A copy of the shipowner’s on-board complaint procedures

Medusa Marine has the experience and knowledge to work through the practicalities of these requirements and give guidance to vessel owners to help smooth the way through the compliance process.