Seafarer working and living rights
Health and medical care
Employers must protect their seafarers’ health by:
- providing immunisations for certain infectious diseases
- making sure hygiene measures are effective and minimise the risks of infection
- making arrangements for infection control
- having the right medical supplies
- knowing the routes and destinations of their ships
Read the guidance on infectious disease at sea.
Read the guidance on contamination of ships’ air conditioning systems by legionella.
You can buy the Ship Captain’s Medical Guide through The Stationery Office Shop website.
Until the UK made the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) law, seafarers’ health and safety regulations were covered by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.