The maritime industry grapples with a troubling issue: the manipulation of seafarer work and rest hour records. Mark Dickinson, Vice President of the ITF Seafarers section, highlighted this during his keynote at the Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global conference. He emphasized the extensive hours seafarers often endure, questioning whether emerging technologies, like AI, could help alleviate the burden. Dickinson pointed out the impracticality of convincing young people to work long hours at sea, often exceeding 75 hours a week, contrary to the International Labour Organization’s recommendations for health.
Despite regulations set by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), there exists a significant gap between these rules and actual practices. Dickinson stressed the importance of continuously improving the MLC to address work and rest hour issues. A report by the ITF Seafarers Trust and the World Maritime University indicated that seafarers typically work around 74.9 hours a week, with nearly 80% never receiving a full day off. Katie Higginbottom, Head of the ITF Seafarers Trust, noted that many seafarers feel compelled to falsify their records to appear compliant with regulations.
Chief Mark Philip Laurilla echoed these concerns, revealing that work hour violations are rampant. He shared personal experiences that illustrate the challenges of accurately recording hours due to operational demands. The pressure to adjust records stems from a fear of scrutiny from Port State Control, which can lead to fines. This contrasts sharply with other transport sectors, where strict adherence to work hour regulations is enforced. Industry leaders acknowledge the issue, indicating that adjustments to work hours persist, highlighting the need for reform within maritime labor practices.
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