What Rights Do I Have?

Prisilla Nadar

This year, Day of the Seafarer campaign was titled Fair future for Seafarers. To celebrate and make the seafarers aware of their rights, The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI) Chandigarh Chapter orangised a webinar on 26th June titled – SEAFARER – What Rights Do I Have?

The Guest Speakers – Mr Rahul Singhal, Senior Claims Executive, GARD P&I Club, Capt Sanjiv Sehgal, President, Aquarius Services and Capt Prabhat Nigam, President, Maritime Trainers Guild and Director, Chitkara University school of Maritime Studies (CUSMS) discussed about the rights of the seafarers according to Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The panel discussion included salary status of the seafarers, onboard recreational facility including meals, RPSL company perspective, abandonment, piracy, P&I club and its role for seafarers’ rights and repatriation and vaccination for seafarers during COVID times.

Additionally, Capt Nigam discussed the Master’s Role in MLC. “Along with others, we must understand the role of Master under MLC. A Master has to ensure that all onboard has proper medical certificate, STCW certificate, Medicines as per IMG for Ships etc,” said Capt Nigam.

He also mentioned that as per MLC, the crew sleeping quarters must be above the vessel’s load-line. Capt Nigam highlighted the responsibilities of RPSL companies towards seafarers and their point of view.

Mr Singhal focused on the financial security under MLC. Videos of abandon seafarers were shown at the webinar to give an in-depth knowledge to seafarers on how to act, when to act at a given situation; what can be done and what cannot be done if a seafarer in abandoned on ship. He advised the seafarers to choose employer wisely after research on financial health of the company in particular any adverse media reports.

Capt Sehgal also made seafarers aware of the several happenings in the industry.

Capt Arjun Singh, Chairman, CMMI Chandigarh Chapter hosted the entire event and Capt Jagdeep Kahlon, Vice Chairman Executive, CMMI, Chandigarh presented his views on creating awareness among seafarers about their rights.

Marex Media