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Sexual harassment on board

Sexual harassment is a workplace-safety and labour-rights matter, not a private dispute, and the shipowner is responsible for preventing and responding to it under MLC 2006 Regulation 4.3 and the 2018 amendments specifically addressing harassment and bullying. The 2018 STCW Manila Amendments and the 2024 amendments on harassment and bullying require training of all crew. You have the right to report without fear of retaliation, the right to a confidential and serious investigation, and the right to repatriation at the shipowner's expense if necessary for your safety.

Step-by-step

  1. Preserve evidence: contemporaneous notes of dates, times, locations, witnesses, and exact wording. Save messages, photos, and call logs.
  2. Identify a person you can trust on board — typically the DPA / Designated Person Ashore is reachable confidentially under the ISM Code; otherwise the DEU (Designated Equality Unit) under your union's CBA, or the ship's safety officer.
  3. If you do not feel safe reporting on board, contact ISWAN SeafarerHelp (24/7, multilingual), the ITF Inspectorate at the next port, or the relevant Stella Maris / Mission to Seafarers chaplain — all are confidential.
  4. Request that your complaint be entered formally under the ship's grievance procedure (MLC Standard A5.1.5). Get a written acknowledgement.
  5. If you are at imminent risk: ask for early sign-off and repatriation. The shipowner's P&I cover responds, and MLC Reg. 2.5 (repatriation) applies.
  6. After sign-off: keep all evidence and obtain copies of any on-board investigation. ITF, ICS / IMO Diversity at Sea, and national labour inspectorates can all carry the case forward.

Evidence to save

What NOT to sign

Legal basis

MLC 2006 Regulation 4.3 — health and safety protection and accident prevention. ILO/IMO joint guidance on the elimination of shipboard harassment and bullying (ICS-published). ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment, 2019, where the flag state has ratified. STCW 2010 (Manila amendments) and 2024 amendments mandate harassment-prevention training of all seafarers.

Primary sources

Related terms

Organisations that can help

Disclaimer. General information only — not legal advice. Sexual harassment cases benefit from early independent legal counsel + survivor-support services (ISWAN provides free multilingual support).