Family emergency at home — owner-paid sign-off

Serious illness, accident, or death in the family. MLC A2.5.1 covers owner-paid sign-off for compelling family reasons.

Immediate action (do this first)

1. Tell the Master + the agent immediately. Be specific about the family situation.
2. Provide documentation as soon as possible (hospital letter, death certificate, family contact).
3. Request immediate sign-off arrangements via the agent.
4. If the owner / agent delays: call ISWAN SeafarerHelp (+44 800 012 1004) + the ITF inspector at the current port.

Evidence to save

• Hospital letter / death certificate / treating doctor's contact.
• Family member's signed statement.
• Original SEA + the MLC A2.5.1 reference.
• Photo of the financial-security certificate (MLC A2.5.2).
• Every written request to the Master + agent (timestamped).

Escalation chain

1. Master + agent (immediate sign-off request)
2. Shipping master / DPA (ISM Element 4)
3. P&I club via the agent — P&I typically arranges emergency-travel logistics.
4. ISWAN SeafarerHelp + ITF inspector — If sign-off is being delayed without good reason.
5. Home-country embassy / consulate — Embassy can assist with emergency travel documents.

Do NOT

• Don't sign anything from the agent that frames the sign-off as 'voluntary' without seeing the cost-coverage clause.
• Don't accept partial repatriation (one leg only) without written commitment for the full journey home.
• Don't pay the agent for the emergency travel — under MLC A2.5.1 the cost is the shipowner's.

Last verified 13 days ago