Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA)
MLC A2.1 — what the SEA must contain, who keeps a copy, what to do if it's amended at the gangway.
What it is
A written contract between the shipowner (not the manning agent) and the seafarer, required by MLC A2.1. Must specify name and address of both parties, place and date of birth, wages, leave, repatriation entitlement, termination conditions, references to the applicable CBA, and the seafarer's right to a copy.
Who needs it
Every seafarer working on a commercial vessel. Joining without a signed SEA is itself a serious MLC breach.
When it is checked
- Before sign-on (you should have a copy before flying).
- Port-state-control during MLC inspection.
- Any wage or repatriation dispute.
Common mistakes
- Receiving the SEA only at the gangway — refuse and ask for it before flying.
- Signing a different contract on arrival than the one received before flying — substitution is a red flag.
- Not keeping your own signed original copy.
- SEA in a language you cannot read without a translation.
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