News: Australia maximum employment period for seafarers

We have been informed by our Correspondent in Western Australia of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Notice 04/2020 which refers to the maximum period of ship board service for seafarers.

As from 1st October 2020 the following will apply:

(i) Where a seafarer has a valid Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) and has served on board for a period more than 11 months but less than 13 months, the master will be required to provide a plan for the seafarer’s repatriation (approved by the Flag State) that results in the repatriation of the seafarer before the seafarer has served a maximum continuous period of 14 months.

(ii) Where a seafarer has a valid SEA and has continuously served on board a vessel for more than 13 months, the vessel will be prohibited from departing port until AMSA is provided with a plan for the seafarer’s repatriation which is approved by the Flag State and results in the repatriation of the seafarer before the seafarer has served a maximum continuous period of 14 months.
 
(iii) Where a seafarer does not have a valid SEA, the master will be required to arrange repatriation of the seafarer (which may require shoreside accommodation until repatriation can be arranged).  If the departure of the seafarer means that the vessel’s minimum safe manning requirements cannot be met then the vessel will be prohibited from departing port.

The AMSA Marine Notice 04/2020 can be viewed here. 

We thank Ashley Nicols of Cocks Macnish for drawing our attention to the AMSA Marine Notice 04/2020.