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Knowing your rights matters less than knowing who to call. There are at least eight distinct channels for escalating a seafarer problem — flag state, PSC, ITF inspector, ISWAN, welfare chaplaincy, DPA, national labour tribunal, and industry ombudsman — and each has a different speed, cost, reach, and legal power. Choosing the wrong one first wastes time and can even prejudice the outcome. This page maps situation to channel, so you can act immediately with the right tool.
| Situation | Best first action | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate physical danger — risk to life on board | Master + DPA immediately. If no response: flag-state SAR coordination centre. ISWAN SeafarerHelp 24/7. | Immediate |
| Unpaid wages on a Flag of Convenience (FoC) vessel | ITF inspector at next port. Concurrent complaint to the manning-agency licensing authority in your home country. | Port arrival |
| Onboard harassment or bullying — need confidential report | DPA confidential channel under ISM Code. Parallel report to ITF welfare officer. Do not use onboard complaint procedure if the harasser is the master. | Within 48h |
| Religious or welfare visit needed in port | Stella Maris / Mission to Seafarers / NAMMA / Sailors' Society — contact through your port agent or directly via their port-by-port directories. | Same day |
| Flag-state regulatory breach (MLC non-compliance) | DMLC Part I contact for flag administration. Parallel PSC complaint at next port of call. | 1-5 days |
| Mental health crisis at sea | ISWAN SeafarerHelp (24/7, free, multilingual). Sailors' Society Wellness at Sea programme. | Immediate |
| National labour-law claim after sign-off (post-contract) | Home-country labour tribunal: PH NLRC (Philippines), IN Labour Court (India), UA Labour Inspectorate (Ukraine). Consult your union before filing. | Weeks–months |
Union-appointed inspector based in major ports. Can board vessels in port, inspect records, negotiate directly with owners, and coordinate industrial action. Best for wage disputes and FoC vessels. No government enforcement power — but enormous commercial leverage. Find your nearest inspector at itfseafarers.org.
24/7, free, multilingual (English, Filipino, Hindi, Ukrainian, Russian, and more). Call +44 20 7323 2737, email [email protected], or use live chat at seafarerhelp.org. Best for immediate welfare support, mental health crisis, and when you do not know which channel to use. Confidential — will not disclose your identity without your consent.
Flag-state-independent inspectors who can board, issue deficiency notices, and detain vessels. Best used when you are in port and need an immediate response to a serious MLC breach. You can approach PSC officers directly without going through the master — your identity is protected under MLC A5.2.2. Find your MoU port's PSC contact at parismou.org or tokyo-mou.org.
The DMLC Part I posted on board lists the flag-state authority's contact for MLC complaints. The flag state is obligated to investigate. Slower than PSC but has greater jurisdictional reach (applies at sea, not just in port). Best for systemic non-compliance affecting the whole crew.
Port-side chaplaincy organisations present in hundreds of ports worldwide. Provide welfare visits, internet access, transport ashore, counselling, and practical support. Not enforcement bodies — but can contact ITF and legal resources on your behalf. Find your nearest centre at stellamaris.org.uk, missiontoseafarers.org, or NAMMA.
The DPA is the company's shore-side safety contact under the ISM Code. You have the right to contact the DPA directly and confidentially — their details must be posted on board. Use the DPA for safety non-conformities and harassment where the master is the problem. A DPA who ignores seafarer reports is themselves an ISM non-conformity.
For claims arising under your employment contract after you have signed off — unpaid wages, wrongful dismissal, unpaid overtime, injury compensation. Key tribunals: Philippine NLRC (poea.gov.ph); Indian Labour Court (labour.gov.in); Ukrainian Labour Inspectorate (dsp.gov.ua). Consult your national union or a maritime lawyer before filing — time limits apply.
What is an ITF inspector and what can they actually do?
ITF inspectors are union-appointed representatives based in major ports worldwide. They can board vessels in port, inspect wage records and SEAs, negotiate directly with shipowners, place the vessel on the ITF's Fair Practices Committee watch list, and — in serious cases — coordinate industrial action by port workers that prevents the vessel from sailing. They have no state enforcement power but significant commercial leverage on FoC vessels.
Is ISWAN SeafarerHelp really free and confidential?
Yes. ISWAN SeafarerHelp operates 24/7, is free of charge to the seafarer, and is available in multiple languages including Filipino, Hindi, Ukrainian, Russian, and English. You can call, email, or use their live chat. They do not disclose your identity to the shipowner or flag state without your explicit consent.
When should I go to PSC rather than the flag state?
Go to PSC when you are in port right now and need an immediate inspection — PSC officers can board and detain a vessel the same day. Go to the flag state when you are at sea, have already left port, or when the issue requires a systemic investigation of the flag-state's compliance regime. Both channels can be used simultaneously.
What does the DPA (Designated Person Ashore) do under the ISM Code?
The DPA is the company's shore-side contact required by the ISM Code to maintain a direct link with senior management, receive safety and non-conformity reports, and ensure adequate resources are provided to the ship. You have the right to contact the DPA directly and confidentially. Their contact details must be posted on board. If the DPA fails to respond, this itself is an ISM non-conformity.
Disclaimer. General information only — not legal advice. Rules vary by flag state, port state, vessel type, applicable CBA, and contract. Each channel listed has its own limitations and timelines. For specific cases, contact the ITF, ISWAN, your union, or a maritime lawyer.