Abandonment
Abandonment happens when a shipowner fails to pay wages for two months, fails to cover repatriation costs, or severs ties with the crew. Under MLC 2006 (2014 amendments, Standards A2.5.2 and A4.2.1), every flag state must require shipowners to maintain financial security for wages and repatriation. The insurer is named on the Certificate MLC-DMLC Part II posted onboard.
Step-by-step
- Locate the MLC-DMLC Part II posted in the messroom and photograph the certificate number + issuing insurer.
- Document the last wage paid, the ship's current port, and the Master's last known orders.
- Call ISWAN SeafarerHelp or the nearest ITF inspector — both operate 24/7.
- Have the inspector open a case with the IMO/ILO database (entries are public and accelerate insurer response).
- Do not sign off against a release of claims until the insurer has paid wages and booked your repatriation.
Evidence to save
- Original SEA + photo backup of every page
- Wage account / payslips for each unpaid month
- Last bank-transfer record from the owner or agency
- Photo of DMLC Part II posted onboard (insurer name + policy number)
- Vessel position / port log + master's last written orders
- Names + contacts of crew willing to corroborate
What NOT to sign
- Any release of claims in exchange for promised wages or repatriation
- Quittance / signing-off document while wages remain outstanding
- Side-letter accepting a reduced settlement vs the SEA
- Any document waiving access to the financial-security insurer
Legal basis
MLC 2006, Regulation 2.5 (repatriation) and 4.2 (shipowners' liability). Flag-state enforcement is the default route; port-state control can intervene under MOU frameworks.
Primary sources
- MLC 2006 Reg 2.5 + Std A2.5.2 (ILO NORMLEX) · normlex.ilo.org
- IMO/ILO Joint Database of Abandoned Seafarers · ilo.org
- ITF — Abandonment guidance site unreachable
- Rights pillar: abandonment · seafarerindex.com
Related terms
Organisations that can help
- Global · 24/7
- Global · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT, after-hours via inspector network
- Global · 24/7 for emergencies
- Europe · 24/7
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Sat 8-17 PHT
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9:30-18 IST
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 10-18 IST
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 EET
- Europe · 24/7 emergency
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 EET
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 CET, on-call after-hours
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9-18 SGT
- Americas · Mon-Fri 9-17 CT
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9:30-18 IST
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 8-17 AEST
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT, 24/7 distress via HM Coastguard
- Global · Varies by port
- Africa · Refer to ISWAN SeafarerHelp 24/7
- Africa · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Africa · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Middle East · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Middle East · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- South-East Asia · Office hours
- Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 8-17 WIB
- Americas · Mon-Fri 8-17 ET
- Global · Mon-Fri 8-17 PHT, OWWA on-duty 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Middle East · Office hours, escalate via London 24/7
- Mediterranean · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Mediterranean · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Europe · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
- Africa · Daily 09:00–21:00
- Middle East · Daily
- Middle East · Daily
- South Asia · Daily
- Global · Office hours (CET)
- Asia-Pacific · Office hours
- Asia-Pacific · Office hours
- Americas · Office hours
- Global · Online
Disclaimer. General information only — not legal advice. Rules vary by flag state, port state, vessel type, applicable CBA, and contract. For specific cases, contact ITF, ISWAN, your union, or a maritime lawyer.