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Repatriation

MLC 2006 Regulation 2.5 and Standard A2.5.1 give you an unconditional right to be returned home — or to your place of recruitment, or another agreed place — at the shipowner's expense, including travel, accommodation in transit, food, and wages until arrival. Maximum continuous service before mandatory repatriation is 11 months, set out in MLC Standard A2.4. Six specific grounds entitle you to early owner-paid repatriation: contract expiry, injury or illness requiring sign-off, shipwreck or loss of the vessel, sale of the vessel, the owner's serious breach of the SEA, or a declared family emergency where the SEA provides for it. The 2014 financial-security amendments (Standard A2.5.2, in force 2017) require every flag state to mandate financial security covering repatriation costs — the insurer is named on the DMLC Part II posted in the messroom. Do not sign a release of claims in exchange for a repatriation ticket; the ticket is your right, not a favour. For the full legal framework, see /reference/mlc.

What this usually means

When your contract ends, when you complete the maximum service period, or when you exercise the right to terminate, the shipowner is responsible for repatriating you home at no cost — including travel, accommodation in transit, food, and pay until arrival. This is one of MLC 2006's strongest protections (Regulation 2.5) and is backed by mandatory financial security on every flag.

Step-by-step

  1. Give written notice of intent to sign off within the contract terms, normally 30 days before contract expiry, and request the Master countersigns.
  2. Request a final wage statement covering basic, overtime, leave accrual, allotments paid, and any deductions. Cross-check against your timesheets.
  3. Confirm the destination of repatriation (your stated home, place of recruitment, or other agreed place) and that the company books the flight, not you.
  4. Refuse to sign any release of claims ("quittance", "final receipt") until all wages have actually been paid in full.
  5. Collect: signed-off SEA, sea-time testimonial, Discharge Book entry, copies of any incident reports, medical records relevant to the contract.
  6. If repatriation is delayed: contact the ITF inspector at the port; the flag state can be made financially liable through its MLC financial-security mechanism.

Evidence to save

What NOT to sign

Escalation path

  1. Give written notice to the master at least as far in advance as the SEA requires (commonly 30 days before contract expiry). Request countersignature.
  2. Confirm the destination of repatriation and that the company is booking and paying for the ticket — not reimbursing you later.
  3. If repatriation is refused or delayed beyond the contract end date: file the on-board complaint in writing under MLC A5.1.5.
  4. Contact the financial-security insurer directly using the name and contact from the DMLC Part II. They are contractually bound to act.
  5. Notify ISWAN SeafarerHelp and the ITF inspector at the next port — both can escalate via the IMO/ILO abandoned seafarers database.
  6. File with the flag state's maritime administration. If in port, notify PSC; the vessel can be detained until you are repatriated.

Legal basis

MLC 2006 Regulation 2.5 (right to repatriation), Standard A2.5.1 (entitlements), Standard A2.5.2 (financial security). Maximum continuous service before mandatory repatriation: 11 months under MLC. Recovery of unpaid repatriation costs through the flag state.

Related terms

Organisations that can help

Primary sources

See also

Disclaimer. General information only — not legal advice. Rules vary by flag state, port state, vessel type, applicable CBA, and contract. Where a fact below is critical to your case, verify against the cited source and consider professional advice.

Original help topic at /help/sign-off.