Medical care rights under MLC 2006
Every seafarer is entitled under MLC 2006 Regulation 4.1 + Standard A4.1 to medical care onboard + ashore, at no cost, for illness + injury occurring in the course of employment. The shipowner is responsible. This includes TMAS (Telemedical Assistance Service) access, medical repatriation where onboard care is inadequate, and continuation of pay during medically-warranted repatriation.
Step-by-step
- If you fall ill or are injured: report to the Master or Medical Officer immediately + request a shipboard medical log entry.
- For serious cases, the Master must arrange TMAS contact — the international 24/7 free radio-medical advice service.
- If onboard care is inadequate, request medical repatriation. The shipowner is responsible for repatriation cost + continuation of pay during repatriation.
- Keep copies of every medical log entry + prescription + shore-hospital record + TMAS transcript.
- If the operator or Master refuses adequate care or repatriation: contact ISWAN SeafarerHelp + the ITF inspector in the next port immediately.
- For occupational injury/illness: request that the incident be recorded in the shipboard accident log per ISM Code + MLC A4.1 — foundational for later compensation claims.
Evidence to save
- Shipboard medical log entries — every consultation + prescription + observation
- TMAS transcript (Radio Medical Advice — the audio + written summary)
- Shore-hospital records + discharge summary
- Any prescription + medication container
- Written communication with the Master + shipowner (email + WhatsApp screenshots)
- Original SEA + rank + berth details
- Photograph of the shipboard medical chest inventory + expiry dates (where relevant)
What NOT to sign
- Any waiver of MLC A4.1 medical-care entitlement — this right cannot be waived under MLC
- Sign-off documents that mis-characterise medical repatriation as personal or contract-completion repatriation
- Release of medical claim in exchange for continued employment
- Any statement admitting to non-work-related medical history that could void MLC A4.1 obligation without specialist legal review
Legal basis
MLC 2006 Regulation 4.1 (medical care on board ship and ashore) + Standard A4.1. STCW 1978 Regulation VI/4 (proficiency in medical first aid and medical care). SOLAS Regulation V/4.1 (master's obligation to render medical assistance). IMO Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG) 3rd edition 2022 (IMO publication IA261E). WHO International Medical Guide for Ships 3rd edition (mandatory reference under MLC A4.1).
Related terms
Organisations that can help
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7 crisis line
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT
- Global · 24/7 emergency line
- Asia-Pacific · Office hours
Disclaimer. General information only — for acute medical emergencies contact TMAS via the ship's Radio Officer or Master immediately. Not medical advice.