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.

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.

Organisations that can help

• ISWAN SeafarerHelp
  Global · 24/7
  📞 +44 800 012 1004
  💬 WhatsApp +44 7909 470732
• ITF Seafarers
  Global · 24/7 for emergencies
  📞 +44 20 7403 2733
• ITF Inspectorate — Find your nearest inspector
  Global · Varies by port
• 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