Injury, death, and compensation

MLC 2006 Regulation 4.2 and Standard A4.2.1 — reinforced by the 2014 amendments that came into force on 18 January 2017 — require shipowners to maintain financial security to cover their liability for personal injury, illness, or death sustained during service. That security is typically provided by the vessel's Protection and Indemnity (P&I) club, and the certificate must be posted on board. The financial security covers: medical costs for the duration of your SEA, wages during incapacity, and contractual compensation for long-term disability or death. The Official Log Book entry is a legal document — it must record the incident within 24 hours. A maritime wage lien arising from injury — the right to enforce the claim against the vessel itself — ranks as a privileged claim under the 1993 Geneva Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages, meaning the vessel can be arrested even after a change of ownership. Do not accept a 'fit for duty' determination from a company doctor without independent medical review. For the full legal framework, see /reference/mlc.

What this usually means

Any injury sustained in the course of duty — from a simple slip to a major incident — is the shipowner's financial responsibility under MLC 2006 Regulation 4.2. The Master must enter it in the Official Log Book and notify the owner; the owner's P&I club then handles medical costs, lost wages, and (where the injury results in lasting disability) compensation. Document everything from the moment it happens.

Step-by-step

Immediate: report the injury to the duty officer; request medical attention and TMAS (telemedical) consultation if needed.
Insist on an Official Log Book entry with: time, place, mechanism, witnesses, immediate medical action. Demand a copy.
Photograph injuries, the scene, defective equipment, and any safety signage. Keep copies on personal media that leaves the vessel with you.
Identify witnesses and ask them to give written statements while events are fresh.
On disembarkation: get all medical records (consultations, scans, prescriptions, fitness-to-work assessments) into your possession before signing off.
Submit a claim through the shipowner's P&I club (the Master or DPA can identify the club). Most claims are settled administratively; for disputed claims, contact a maritime injury solicitor or your union.

Evidence to save

Official Log Book entry recording the incident — demand a copy within 24 hours; the master is legally required to make this entry.
Photographs of the injury, the accident scene, any defective equipment, missing guards or signage — taken as soon as safe.
Written statements from witnesses taken while events are fresh — names, ranks, and what each person observed.
All medical records from every treating professional: ship's log of treatment, hospital discharge summaries, scan reports, surgical notes, prescriptions.
Fitness-for-duty and 'fit / unfit for work' assessments from every examining doctor — do not allow a company doctor to back-date or alter these.
Copies of any correspondence with the P&I club, the DPA, or the shipowner's insurance manager.
Photograph of the DMLC Part II financial-security certificate showing the P&I club name and policy details.

What NOT to sign

A release of claims or 'full and final settlement' before you know the full extent of your injuries — long-term disability may not be apparent for months.
A 'fit for duty' declaration if you do not feel fit or have not been independently examined by a doctor of your own choosing.
Any statement attributing the accident solely to your own negligence without independent investigation.
A document waiving rights to sue the shipowner in your home jurisdiction in exchange for any payment.
A form removing your right to choose your own treating physician for an ongoing injury.

Escalation path

Immediately after injury: report to the duty officer; request medical attention and TMAS consultation if the ship's medical officer is unavailable.
Insist on an Official Log Book entry with time, place, mechanism, witnesses, and immediate treatment — request a copy.
Identify the P&I club (DMLC Part II) and notify them directly — most have 24/7 emergency lines and will arrange shore-side medical care.
On disembarkation: collect all medical records before signing off. Refuse to sign a release of claims.
Contact your union or a maritime injury solicitor — claims must typically be lodged within 3 years of the incident.
For fatalities: the family has the same rights under MLC Std A4.2.1; the flag state and the P&I club must be notified; the 2022 MLC amendments require mandatory reporting of crew fatalities to the flag state.

Legal basis

MLC 2006 Regulation 4.2 (shipowners' liability for sickness, injury, or death of seafarers), Standard A4.2.1 (financial security). ILO C55 (sickness, injury, and death) where ratified. P&I cover under the International Group Pooling Agreement.

Related terms

Organisations that can help

ISWAN SeafarerHelp
Global · 24/7
📞 +44 800 012 1004
CIRM — Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (Rome)
Global · 24/7
📞 +39 06 5923331
Centre de Consultation Médicale Maritime (Toulouse)
Global · 24/7
📞 +33 5 34 39 33 33
Radio Medico Norway (Haukeland Universitetssjukehus)
Global · 24/7
📞 +47 55 97 50 00
Sailors' Society
Global · 24/7 crisis line
📞 +44 23 8051 5950
Headway — Brain Injury Support (relevant to seafarers post-incident)
Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT
📞 +44 808 800 2244