Hours of Work and Rest

Important to know: Regulations for Hours of Work and Rest

The STCW Code has been amended regarding hours of rest so it is now in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requirements. Known as the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Code, which entered into force on 1st January, 2012, for all parties to the Convention, (except Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal), the regulations now require a minimum of 10 hours rest in any 24 hour period and 77 hours in any 7 day period.

Minimum hours of rest for watch personnel:

The minimum number of hours of rest for ratings and officers assigned to the above duties is 10 hours in any 24 hour period. There are no exceptions from this rule. This does not mean that the other 14 hours should be spent on duty. The other personnel who do not have watch-keeping, designated safety, security or prevention of pollution responsibilities are exempted from this provision, but the MLC will apply (however this applies to very few crew and only on larger ships).

The 24 hour period is calculated from the time the watchkeeper’s duty starts, and not from 00:00 hours. The 10 hour rest period may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least six hours long and no period less than one hour. The rest period in any seven day period must not be less than 77 hours. The minimum rest period is not obligatory in the case of emergencies, drills or overriding operational conditions.

Important: The previous provision that allowed the 10 hour rest period to be reduced to not less than six consecutive hours provided such reduction does not extend beyond two days, and not less than 70 hours of rest are provided each seven day period no longer applies in the 2010 STCW Convention.

In the 2010 STCW there is an exception allowed. The administration may allow an exception of rest hours provided that the rest period is not less than 70 hours in any seven day period and is not allowed for more than two weeks. However the 10 hour minimum per 24 hour period is still in force. In addition, the rest hours may be within these two weeks of exemptions divided into three periods. The interval between two periods of exceptions on board shall not be less than twice the duration of the exception. In practice this means that if you have reduced rest hours to 70 per week over a two week period the next four weeks have to comply with the general rule of 77 hours rest per week and only two rest periods in any 24 hour period.

The administration should at all times take into account the guidance regarding the prevention of fatigue.

Administrations shall require that watch schedules be posted and assessable in the working language or languages of the ship and in English. A seafarer who has their normal rest period disturbed by a call-out to work must have adequate compensatory rest periods. Administrations require that records of the daily hours of rest be maintained, and you must ensure these records are correctly maintained. You should receive a copy of the records pertaining to you, endorsed by the master and, after ensuring their accuracy you should also sign them.

From January 2012, seafarers will need to review and sign a record of their work/rest hours periodically (typically at least once a month) to ensure they comply with the minimum rest  hours stipulated.

Watch-keeping principles and arrangements.

The STCW Convention contains guidance for watch-keeping personnel on how to keep a safe watch at all times, whether at sea or in port. The complete guidelines can be found in section A-VIII/2 of the convention. The master, chief engineer and all watch- keeping personnel (navigation, propulsion and radio) are required to perform their duties according to these principles and guidelines. Operations procedure manuals kept on board are also likely to contain some of this information and it is in your own interest, to read them.

You should also be familiar with the onboard ISM Code, which places particular emphasis on internal management of safety and the development of company-specific and ship-specific safety procedures. This should contain documentation on bridge and engine room watch-keeping arrangements, along with much more for the ship at sea or in port. Shipping companies are required to provide clear procedures to be followed by watch-keeping personnel. Not only are you required to abide by these provisions, but it is also a useful reminder of procedures seafarers already know but tend to forget.

The master has direct responsibility for ensuring that all watch-keeping principles and arrangements are adhered to at all times and under all circumstances. However, he or she can only be successful through the commitment and co-operation of the whole team, both on-board and ashore.

Six hours on/Six hours off.

Working ‘sixes’ may, in theory, appear to meet the criteria under STCW 2010, thus avoiding infringements of the Hours of Work and Rest regulations. However, there are other factors which need to be considered.

STCW sets out appropriate guidance for taking over the watch such the procedures will need to be carried out before the relieving watchkeeper takes over the watch.

Hence, the relieving officer will need to be at their place of work (bridge, engine control room, etc.) before the commencement of their watch and the officer to be relieved cannot eave until the handover is complete. Therefore, when watchkeepers are working ‘sixes’, the Master and/or owners will need to be able to demonstrate that the handover period is successfully carried out without reducing the 6 hours rest time.

The 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Code have been instrumental in prioritizing the welfare and safety of seafarers through the establishment of clear rest hour standards. Seafarers must stay informed about the minimum rest hour requirements and consistently review and sign records of their work/rest hours. Adherence to watch-keeping principles is of utmost importance for safe operations, and it is the master's duty to enforce these guidelines. To prevent fatigue-related problems and ensure the well-being of the crew and vessel, companies and ship management must actively support and facilitate compliance with rest hour regulations.