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

1. Locate the MLC-DMLC Part II posted in the messroom and photograph the certificate number + issuing insurer.
2. Document the last wage paid, the ship's current port, and the Master's last known orders.
3. Call ISWAN SeafarerHelp or the nearest ITF inspector — both operate 24/7.
4. Have the inspector open a case with the IMO/ILO database (entries are public and accelerate insurer response).
5. 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)
• IMO/ILO Joint Database of Abandoned Seafarers
• ITF — Abandonment guidance
• Rights pillar: abandonment

Organisations that can help

• ISWAN SeafarerHelp
  Global · 24/7
  📞 +44 800 012 1004
  💬 WhatsApp +44 7909 470732
• ITF Inspectorate — London (Global Coordinating)
  Global · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT, after-hours via inspector network
  📞 +44 20 7403 2733
• ITF Seafarers
  Global · 24/7 for emergencies
  📞 +44 20 7403 2733
• Nautilus International — UK 24-hour helpline
  Europe · 24/7
  📞 +44 20 8989 6677
• AMOSUP (Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines)
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Sat 8-17 PHT
  📞 +63 2 8527 8491
• NUSI (National Union of Seafarers of India)
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9:30-18 IST
  📞 +91 22 6798 3636
• MUI (Maritime Union of India)
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 10-18 IST
  📞 +91 22 2202 8898
• MTWTU (Maritime Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine)
  Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 EET
  📞 +380 48 728 65 92
• Stella Maris UK (Apostleship of the Sea)
  Europe · 24/7 emergency
  📞 +44 20 7901 1931
  💬 WhatsApp +44 7505 906261
• ITF Inspector — Piraeus, Greece
  Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 EET
  📞 +30 210 4286 222
• ITF Inspector — Rotterdam, Netherlands
  Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 CET, on-call after-hours
  📞 +31 6 53 18 91 36
• ITF Inspector — Singapore
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9-18 SGT
  📞 +65 6379 5660
• ITF Inspector — Houston, USA
  Americas · Mon-Fri 9-17 CT
  📞 +1 832 922 6890
• DG Shipping (India) — Seafarer Grievance Redressal Cell
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 9:30-18 IST
  📞 +91 22 2575 2040
• AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) — Crew Welfare
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 8-17 AEST
  📞 +61 2 6279 5000
• MCA (UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency) — Seafarer Welfare
  Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT, 24/7 distress via HM Coastguard
  📞 +44 20 3817 2000
• ITF Inspectorate — Find your nearest inspector
  Global · Varies by port
• ISWAN Africa Network
  Africa · Refer to ISWAN SeafarerHelp 24/7
  📞 +44 800 012 1004
• ITF Nigeria Inspectorate
  Africa · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +234 1 587 1920
• ITF South Africa Inspectorate
  Africa · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +27 31 301 4108
• ITF Egypt Inspectorate (Suez/Port Said)
  Middle East · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +20 62 333 0102
• ITF UAE Inspectorate
  Middle East · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +971 4 880 4684
• AMOSUP — Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines
  South-East Asia · Office hours
  📞 +63 2 8527 8491
• KPI (Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia)
  Asia-Pacific · Mon-Fri 8-17 WIB
  📞 +62 21 4391 1313
• USCG Investigative Service — Seafarer Welfare Reports
  Americas · Mon-Fri 8-17 ET
  📞 +1 202 372 2100
• Migrant Workers Office (MWO) — PH overseas emergency
  Global · Mon-Fri 8-17 PHT, OWWA on-duty 24/7
  📞 +63 2 8721 8089
• MADAD — Indian Ministry of External Affairs consular helpline
  Global · 24/7
  📞 +91 11 1800 11 7100
• ITF Saudi Arabia (correspondent)
  Middle East · Office hours, escalate via London 24/7
  📞 +44 20 7403 2733
• ITF Turkey Inspectorate
  Mediterranean · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +90 212 244 4228
• ITF Greece (PNO)
  Mediterranean · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +30 210 411 5226
• ITF Spain Inspectorate
  Europe · Office hours, 24/7 emergencies
  📞 +34 956 60 22 25
• Mission to Seafarers Mombasa
  Africa · Daily 09:00–21:00
  📞 +254 41 2316 156
• Mission to Seafarers Qatar
  Middle East · Daily
  📞 +974 4476 0001
• Mission to Seafarers Salalah
  Middle East · Daily
  📞 +968 2321 9999
• Mission to Seafarers Sri Lanka
  South Asia · Daily
  📞 +94 11 234 8001
• ILO MLC Complaints
  Global · Office hours (CET)
  📞 +41 22 799 7501
• DMW / OWWA (Philippines) — Seafarer welfare desk
  Asia-Pacific · Office hours
  📞 +63 2 8721 8532
• Sri Lanka Director General of Merchant Shipping — welfare desk
  Asia-Pacific · Office hours
  📞 +94 11 258 7215
• Panama Canal Seafarer Welfare Desk
  Americas · Office hours
  📞 +507 272 6710
• IMO/ILO Database of Abandonment of Seafarers
  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.