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Bullying on board (not sexual)

Workplace bullying — persistent intimidation, public humiliation, exclusion, sabotage of work, unreasonable workload, threats short of physical violence — is a workplace-safety matter under MLC 2006 Reg. 4.3 and the 2018 ICS/ITF joint Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying. The 2024 MLC amendments now explicitly cover harassment and bullying. This topic covers reporting routes that do NOT engage the sexual-harassment escalation chain (which is in its own topic) but use the same legal framework.

Step-by-step

  1. Keep a contemporaneous log: dates, times, location, witnesses, exact wording, and how the behaviour affected your work or safety. The log is the most valuable evidence in any later complaint.
  2. Identify the type: verbal abuse, persistent unjustified criticism, exclusion from required information (e.g. you are not briefed on a passage plan you must keep watch on), unreasonable workload assignment, threats short of physical violence, sabotage. Each type has a different evidence requirement.
  3. Address it on board first if you can: speak to the master directly. If the master is the source of the bullying, speak to the DPA / Designated Person Ashore (ISM Code confidentiality).
  4. If on-board resolution fails: file the formal complaint under MLC A5.1.5. Request a written acknowledgement that the complaint is being investigated. The shipowner has 28 days under most company SMS to investigate.
  5. Escalate in parallel to: the ITF Inspectorate (the national CBA usually has anti-bullying clauses), your manning agency's licensing authority, and ISWAN SeafarerHelp for support.
  6. If the bullying is creating a safety risk (sleep deprivation, withholding of safety information, deliberate sabotage of equipment), notify the flag state PSC under MLC complaint procedures. The vessel can be detained for a safety-management-system failure.
  7. Do not retaliate physically. Self-defence against actual physical violence is lawful; verbal escalation is not, and a fight will end with both crew members fired and possibly criminally charged.

Evidence to save

What NOT to sign

Legal basis

MLC 2006 Reg. 4.3 (health and safety protection). 2024 MLC amendments on harassment and bullying. ICS/ITF Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying (3rd ed.). ILO Convention 190 (Violence and Harassment at Work, 2019, where ratified). National OHS legislation — UK HSWA 1974, Norway arbeidsmiljøloven, Philippines Anti-Bullying Act (RA 10627) for cadets.

Primary sources

Related terms

Organisations that can help

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.