Working at sea involves risk. Every time a seafarer joins a ship, their family waits at home and hopes for a safe return.
However, accidents, serious illness or permanent disability can happen during service. In the worst case, a seafarer may lose their life. During such a difficult time, the family should not also struggle because they do not know their rights or the claim process.
Every seafarer should understand death and disability compensation before joining a ship. Your family should also know where your contract, CBA and other important documents are kept.
Death or permanent disability at sea can create emotional and financial problems for the family.
The family may suddenly have to manage medical bills, household expenses, loan payments and children’s education without the seafarer’s regular income.
The Maritime Labour Convention requires shipowners to maintain financial security for compensation in cases where a seafarer dies or suffers long-term disability because of a work-related injury, illness or danger. The final amount and conditions depend on the applicable law, contract and CBA.
Understanding these rights before joining can make the claim process easier.
When a seafarer dies during service, the company should inform the officially recorded family member or Next of Kin.
The company may also have to complete reports, arrange the return of personal belongings and guide the family regarding the compensation claim.
The compensation amount is not always the same for every seafarer. It may depend on the contract, CBA, rank, cause of death and insurance terms.
The family should ask the company for the complete claim process in writing. They should not depend only on verbal information.
A serious accident or illness may prevent a seafarer from returning to sea or performing the same duties.
In such cases, the seafarer may be eligible for disability compensation. The amount usually depends on the medical condition, disability percentage, contract terms and applicable CBA.
Doctors may need time to complete treatment and decide whether the disability is temporary or permanent.
Where the full amount cannot be decided quickly, MLC-related provisions say an interim payment should be made to prevent unnecessary financial hardship.
Next of Kin means the person officially recorded as your closest family contact.
This may be your spouse, parent or another dependent. The company may contact this person during a serious emergency, death or compensation process.
Before joining, check that the name, relationship, phone number, address and email details are correct.
The name should match the identity and bank documents wherever required. Wrong or old information can delay communication and create problems during the claim.
Never treat the Next of Kin form as a small joining form. Fill it carefully and tell your family whose name has been entered.
Your contract explains your salary, rank, contract period, benefits and other working conditions.
It may also mention death compensation, disability support, insurance and the company’s responsibility in case of an accident.
Read the contract before signing. Do not check only the salary and joining date.
Ask the company what support is available if you become seriously injured or unable to work again.
Keep your own signed copy. Your family should also know where it is saved because the contract may be one of the first documents required during a claim.
CBA means Collective Bargaining Agreement. It may provide benefits that are not fully written in your basic contract.
The CBA may contain the amount payable in case of death, permanent disability, injury, abandonment or loss of personal belongings.
It may also explain whether an extra amount is payable for dependent children.
Ask whether your ship and contract are covered by a CBA. Request a copy or access to it.
Do not depend on statements such as “the company will manage everything.” What is written in the contract and CBA is more important than a verbal promise.
The family should first contact the shipping company or RPSL agency through which the seafarer joined.
The claim should be submitted in writing. The family should ask for the list of required documents, the responsible officer’s details and the expected process.
Every email, letter and document sent to the company should be saved.
The family should also note the date of every phone call and the name of the person contacted.
A clear written record can help if the claim is delayed or if the matter later has to be raised with another authority.
Every seafarer should prepare a family safety folder before joining.
It should contain copies of the passport, CDC, INDOS details, signed contract, CBA, joining letter, company details and RPSL information.
The folder should also include insurance papers, medical records, bank details, Next of Kin proof and nomination documents.
Keep both printed and digital copies. The digital folder can be stored securely in email or cloud storage.
Your family should know how to access these documents. Documents should not be locked only inside your phone or kept only with the agent.
Compensation claims may take time because the company, insurer and medical experts may need to check the documents.
However, the family should continue following up in writing. They should ask what is pending and whether any additional document is required.
If there is an unusual delay without a proper reason, the family may approach DG Shipping with the claim details and proof of earlier communication.
Do not wait for months based only on verbal promises.
Keep all replies, reports, receipts and claim numbers safely. This evidence helps show when the claim was submitted and how long it has remained pending.
A seafarer should give correct medical information before joining.
Hiding a serious illness or providing false medical information may create problems later. The company or insurer may examine whether the illness or injury was connected to an undeclared condition.
Never hide a health problem only because you are afraid of losing the joining opportunity.
Complete the medical examination honestly and keep copies of the reports.
Correct medical information protects your health on board and may also prevent unnecessary disputes during a future medical or compensation claim.
Before leaving home, explain the basic claim process to your family.
Tell them the company name, RPSL agency, vessel name, rank and joining date. Share the emergency contact number and the details of the person handling your joining.
Show them where your contract, CBA, insurance papers and bank documents are kept.
Also tell them who has been listed as the Next of Kin and nominee.
This conversation may feel uncomfortable, but it is a responsible step. A prepared family can act faster and avoid depending on unknown agents or unofficial advice.
Before joining a ship, update your Next of Kin details, read your contract and CBA, and keep all important documents safely. Make sure your family knows whom to contact and where the documents are stored.
You can also use the Sailor Pro App to organise your maritime documents, receive certificate expiry reminders and stay updated with important seafarer information. Preparing these details before sailing can protect your family during the most difficult time.
The amount depends on the seafarer’s contract, applicable CBA, insurance cover, national law and the circumstances of the death.
The person recorded as the Next of Kin, nominee, legal heir or eligible dependent may claim, depending on the required documents and applicable terms.
Next of Kin is the family member officially recorded as the main contact during an emergency, death, or compensation process.
A seafarer may receive compensation for long-term or permanent disability caused by a work-related injury, illness or hazard, subject to the contract and applicable rules.
A CBA is a Collective Bargaining Agreement that may provide additional benefits for wages, injury, disability, death and other employment matters.
Documents may include the contract, CBA, CDC, passport, death or medical certificate, incident report, Next of Kin proof, bank details and nomination papers.
The family should follow up with the company in writing. If there is an unusual delay, the matter may be raised with DG Shipping along with proof of the claim and earlier communication.
Yes. False or incomplete medical information may create disputes and affect the claim depending on the circumstances and applicable terms.
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