How to Prepare for an MLC Audit — Crew Checklist
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) sets the global standard for seafarer working conditions. Failing an MLC audit can lead to vessel detentions, fines, and reputational damage. This checklist helps crew managers and DPAs prepare systematically — so nothing is left to chance when the inspector boards.
What Inspectors Check During an MLC Audit
MLC audits cover five core titles: minimum age, seafarers' employment agreements (SEA), hours of work and rest, entitlement to leave, and repatriation. Inspectors review original documents, interview crew, and inspect living and working conditions onboard.
The most common deficiencies stem from expired or missing certificates, unsigned employment agreements, and incomplete rest-hour records. A digital crew management system eliminates these gaps by centralizing documents and issuing proactive expiry alerts.
Seafarers' Employment Agreements — Getting Them Right
Every seafarer must have a signed SEA before joining a vessel. The agreement must include wages, leave entitlements, repatriation terms, and health coverage. Inspectors compare the SEA against actual conditions onboard — any discrepancy is a finding.
Sealogic E-CMS generates MLC-compliant employment agreements automatically, links them to crew profiles, and tracks acknowledgements digitally — giving you instant proof during inspections.
Hours of Rest Compliance and Record-Keeping
MLC and STCW require minimum 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period. Manual rest-hour logs are error-prone and difficult to audit. Inspectors increasingly expect digital records with clear violation flags.
An integrated rest-hours module captures duty periods, calculates compliance automatically, and highlights breaches before they become audit findings.
Certification and Training Matrix Readiness
Beyond MLC, flag states and charterers impose additional certification requirements. STCW endorsements, medical fitness certificates, and company-specific training must all be valid and verifiable. A missing document discovered during audit can ground a crew member — or the vessel.
Digital certification tracking maps every crew member's credentials against the vessel's matrix, flags gaps weeks in advance, and produces audit evidence packs on demand.
Your Pre-Audit Checklist at a Glance
SEA & Contract Verification
Ensure every onboard crew member has a signed, current employment agreement matching actual terms.
Rest-Hour Records
Verify digital rest-hour logs are complete, violation-free, and signed off for the past 3 months.
Certificate Validity
Confirm all STCW, flag endorsements, and medical certificates are valid through the contract period.
Onboard Conditions
Inspect accommodation, food, medical supplies, and recreational facilities against MLC Title 3 requirements.
Complaint Procedures
Post the onboard complaint procedure in common areas and verify crew awareness through interviews.
Financial Security
Confirm P&I cover for repatriation, outstanding wages, and crew injury compensation is current and accessible.
Conclusion
MLC audit preparation doesn't have to be a last-minute scramble. With structured processes and digital tools, crew managers can maintain continuous compliance — turning audits from stressful events into routine confirmations.
Sealogic E-CMS keeps your SEAs, rest-hour records, certificates, and crew documents audit-ready at all times — so you're always prepared, not just when the inspector is expected.