Your Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) is the only document that defines what you are owed, what you owe, and what you can refuse. MLC 2006 Standard A2.1 sets the minimum content. Before signing, work through every clause; after signing, keep two physical copies and a digital scan. This checklist walks you through each compulsory item and the trap-doors that show up in real SEAs.
Step-by-step
Parties and addresses: your full name and full address, the shipowner's legal name and address (NOT only the manning agent's). MLC A2.1.4(a). Mismatch here is the most common ground for an SEA to be unenforceable against the real owner.
Date of birth, place of engagement, and the agency that recruited you, with the agency's licence number. Verify the licence against the flag-state register (DMW PH, DG Shipping IN, Maradmin UA).
Capacity / rank — must match your CoC. If the SEA gives you a higher rank than your certificate authorises, refuse; you become personally liable in an incident.
Wages: basic, fixed overtime hours, paid leave, allotment percentage, and currency. MLC A2.1.4(h). Cross-check against the CBA the SEA references — the CBA wins where the SEA is below it.
Hours of work: maximum 14h in any 24h and 72h in any 7-day period (STCW Reg. VIII/1 + MLC A2.3). Fixed overtime is paid even when not worked; consolidated wage absorbs ordinary OT but never breaches the limit.
Duration and termination: max 11 months continuous service (MLC A2.4). Notice period for early termination — your notice and the owner's notice should be the same length. Asymmetric notice clauses are a red flag.
Repatriation: cost-free repatriation, route, and entitlement triggers (contract end, injury, ship sale, abandonment, serious cause). MLC Reg. 2.5. The financial-security insurer's name must be available on board.
Discipline and CBA: identify the applicable CBA (IBF, ITF TCC, national, none). 'No applicable CBA' on an FoC-flagged ship is a red flag — the ITF TCC minimum still applies.
Side-letters and addenda: ONLY clauses inside the registered SEA are enforceable. Any 'private agreement' to take a lower wage or longer contract is unenforceable and prosecutable against the agency.
Evidence to save
SEA original + scan + emailed copy
Applicable CBA reference (link or printed extract)
Owner's full legal name + address (cross-check with agency licence)
Schedule of wages, OT, leave pay, allotment % + currency
What NOT to sign
SEA without shipowner's legal name + address
Asymmetric notice clauses (owner's notice shorter than yours)
Wage clauses below ITF TCC if vessel flies an ITF FoC flag
Side-letters of any kind
Legal basis
MLC 2006 Reg. 2.1 and Standard A2.1 (content of seafarers' employment agreements). STCW Reg. I/14 (responsibilities of companies). ILO Convention 181 (Private Employment Agencies, no fees to workers). Flag-state SEA registration regimes: Philippines POEA-SEC + DMW, India DG Shipping RPSL, Norway NIS/NOR.
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.