Accommodation · catering

Provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) regarding on-board accommodation for seafarers apply to new ships only

The MLC contains detailed provisions regarding the standard of on-board accommodation for seafarers, e. g. minimum size of sleeping rooms. Generally seafarers are entitled to their personal sleeping room. Deviations from these requirements are possible in ships of less than 3,000 GT, special purpose ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels.

The new provision apply only to ships constructed after the entry into force of the MLC. In opposite the ILO-Conventions No. 92 and 133 apply to older existing ships.

The detailed provisions of the MLC regarding on-board accommodation are implemented in German law by means of the new Ordinance on Accommodation in Maritime Shipping (See-Unterkunftsverordnung). This includes also further provisions, e.g. that two apprentices may share one sleeping room provided it is fitted with a bathroom and a toilet.

Ship’s cook is mandatory on ships with a prescribed manning of at least ten

Seafarers are entitled to food of appropriate quality and quantity free of charge and to drinking water during their period of employment. Appropriate food ensures suitable and balanced nutrition regarding nutritional value, quality and variety. The more detailed requirements in the former „Verordnung über die Speiserolle“ have been abandoned due to the continuous change in nutritional habits.

In future a ship’s cook is required, if the safe manning certificate prescribes a manning of at least ten. Proof of qualification as a ship’s cook on a German-flagged seagoing ship can be either:

• professional training as a cook, or
• a catering course provided by a chamber of industry and commerce, or
• a certificate of qualification as a ship’s cook issued by a foreign state.