- Over 28% of seafarers rest less than the required 10 hours per day, violating standards.
- False compliance reports mask widespread overwork and underreporting of work hours.
- A proposed protected website could allow anonymous logging of work/rest hours.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has stepped up efforts to work and rest hours following a 64-page report from the World Maritime University (WMU). The report is based on a 2022 survey that gathered responses from over 9,000 seafarers worldwide, shedding light on widespread violations of rest hour standards, reports Splash 247.
Findings from the WMU Survey
According to the questionnaire, seafarers spent an average of 11.5 hours working, 10.8 hours resting, and 7.0 hours sleeping. Shockingly, 28.1% admitted to resting for less than 10 hours a day, contrary to what is designated by established standards. The average weekly working hours for the seafarers were at 74.9 hours, higher than the 43-hour global average pointed out in the ILO’s 2018 general survey.
Another alarming finding was that 78.3% of seafarers reported not having a full day off during their contract period. This is in direct contradiction to the intent of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Further, 88.3% admitted to having exceeded work/rest hour limits at least once a month, and 16.5% reported exceeding the limits more than ten times a month. Only 31.6% of seafarers reported never having altered their work/rest records.
The Problem of False Compliance
Even though port state control reported a high compliance rate, the survey revealed that non-compliance among seafarers was prevalent, and hence, the authors of the WMU report described the situation as a “false narrative at policy levels.”
The weak regulatory framework provides an opportunity for flag states to compete by giving manning certificates with minimal crew requirements. It is a system that relies on self-regulation by shipowners and ship managers, which leads to unrealistic work demands.
Proposed Solutions and Industry Challenges
One proposed measure is the creation of a protected website for each vessel, managed by the flag state, where seafarers could log their hours anonymously. This could encourage more transparent reporting while protecting workers from retaliation.
Despite discussions about automation reducing crewing requirements, 87.6% of survey respondents stated that work demands remain excessive about crewing levels.
Regulatory Standards and the Impact of Fatigue
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) enforces work/rest hour regulations through the MLC and the Seafarers’ Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Code (STCW). Many maritime accident reports have cited fatigue as a major contributing factor.
Under the MLC, the regulations state:
- Maximum hours of work: No more than 14 hours in any 24 hours and 72 hours in any seven days.
- Minimum hours of rest: No less than 10 hours in any 24 hours and 77 hours in any seven days.
The Dilemma of Seafarers’ Well-Being
Reconciling crew wellness with excessive workloads remains a significant challenge. Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, highlighted this issue in a recent article for Splash: “Crews face overwhelming demands while grappling with chronic underreporting of work hours, and the threat of punishment for infractions.”
He further explained the difficult position many seafarers find themselves in: “Seafarers face a difficult choice: being honest about overwork can lead to punishment, while dishonesty may allow them to escape consequences. This creates a troubling lack of incentive for proper, effective, open, and transparent recording of work hours.”
The industry faces mounting pressure to address these challenges, ensuring that work/rest regulations are effectively enforced while prioritizing seafarer well-being.
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Source: Splash 247
