Maritime Labour Convention
Our commitment to seafarer welfare and compliance with international codes of practice.
Our commitment.
The Crew Hunter (part of Yacht Crew Recruitment & Training Ltd) is committed to the welfare of seafarers, ensuring compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC).
For all recruitment agencies operating within the UK and EU, adherence to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) is not just best practice – it’s a fundamental requirement. Compliant companies like The Crew Hunter embrace the responsibilities outlined by this crucial legislation.
This includes conducting thorough due diligence on yacht owners and management companies to ensure they uphold seafarers’ rights, maintaining transparent and ethical recruitment practices, and being subject to regular audits and inspections to verify their compliance.
We strongly advise all clients and crew to familiarise themselves with the MLC to fully understand the obligations and rights of yacht owners, crewing agencies, and seafarers. For comprehensive information about MLC 2006, visit the International Labour Organisation (ILO) website.
What is the MLC 2006?
The International Labour Organization‘s (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) is a vital international law that guarantees comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world’s seafarers.
This convention aims to ensure fair working conditions for crew members while also supporting fair competition for quality yacht owners. It brings together and updates over 68 previous international labour standards for the maritime sector, established over the past eight decades.
Designed to be a universally applicable, easily understandable, and consistently enforced global standard, the MLC 2006 is considered a cornerstone of the international regulatory framework for quality shipping, alongside the key conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Its creation was driven by the recognition that the global shipping industry demands a unified international approach to ensure decent work for seafarers across the board.
What does this mean for crew?
As a crew-focussed and MLC compliant organisation we ensure all crew are informed of their rights and duties under their employment agreements.
We are an introductory agent only and urge all crew members to ensure they have a signed seafarer’s contract before joining any yacht.
When working with us you can expect:
- To receive contact from our staff wherever possible and appropriate.
- To be treated as an individual.
- To be shortlisted for roles based on your skills and experience.
- To have your registration documents stored securely and not disclosed to third parties without consent.
- Not to be submitted for any positions without a full preliminary interview.
- To be handpicked for positions that we feel suit your skills and personality.
- No blacklists or other mechanisms are used to prevent candidates from gaining employment for which they are qualified.
- No fees or charges are made to the candidate in exchange for providing employment, as stated in the MLC 2006 convention, A.1.4.5.b
What does this mean for clients?
The Crew Hunter is an introductory agent only and is not involved in contracts or payroll.
All clients engaging with Yacht Crew Recruitment & Training Ltd agree to our Terms & Conditions, which are provided upon initial contact for our services.
We will ask you for several supporting documents in order to allow us to do the work we are contracted to do, and these will vary from position to position.
- A copy of the yachts manning model (a detailed organigram of the internal management structure)
- A detailed job description
- A copy of the Yacht’s Standing Orders
- A copy of the individual’s future contract
Introductory agent only.
The process can take a little as two weeks for Junior crew but in most cases for mid / senior / rotational crew the process can take between 1-3 months.
Code of Conduct
At The Crew Hunter, we are bound by our ethical code of conduct. So, you can rest assured our team consistently act with the highest integrity, honesty and professionalism.
In addition to compliance with all legal and diversity requirements, the key principles to which we abide include:
- To conduct business dealings and build relationships with the highest degree of professionalism, honesty and integrity
- Ensure that headhunters do not act in any way which will damage their reputation, the reputation of The Crew Hunter, or the wider industry
- All dealings with clients and candidates are documented ensuring a robust audit trail of activity at every stage of the process.
- Provide accurate, honest information and constructive feedback to clients and candidates throughout
- Ensure the best available candidates are proposed for relevant roles, with the required work permits, visas, experience or yachting qualifications (legally or otherwise)
- Maintain confidentiality for both client and candidate, only disclosing confidential information with explicit consent or if required to do so by law
Complaints Procedure.
In line with MLC Standard A1.4, Yacht Crew Recruitment & Training Ltd will review and address any complaint related to our services and inform the relevant authority of unresolved complaints.
If you need to lodge a complaint against a service provided by The Crew Hunter (TCH), clients and seafarers can do so verbally or via email by contacting sam@yachtcrew.uk.
Upon receiving your complaint:
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TCH will acknowledge your complaint via letter or email, confirming its receipt within seven working days.
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We will then document your complaint and initiate an investigation.
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Our goal is to investigate and resolve all complaints within 14 working days of receipt.
TCH is confident in addressing and resolving most complaints. However, if you feel your complaint hasn’t been adequately addressed or remains unresolved, please contact the relevant authority.
Complaints regarding working or living conditions on board should be directed to the yacht’s management company or flag administration.
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