A crew agreement, historically called Articles of Agreement, is the formal contract setting out a seafarer’s terms of employment for a specific ship or voyage.
What It Contains
- Wages and payment terms
- Duration of engagement (voyage-specific or time-based)
- Rank and duties
- Leave entitlement terms
- Repatriation provisions
- Termination conditions
Crew Agreement and MLC 2006
Under MLC 2006, this document is formalized as the Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA), with specific mandatory content requirements — the traditional “crew agreement” and “Articles of Agreement” terminology essentially refers to the same underlying concept, now standardized under the SEA framework.
Why It’s Legally Significant
The crew agreement/SEA is the binding legal basis for the employment relationship — wage disputes, repatriation claims, and termination disputes are all assessed against what this document actually specifies, making it far more than a formality to sign without reading.
Where It’s Kept
Copies of the crew agreement are typically held aboard the vessel, with the seafarer entitled to their own copy — a document you should genuinely read and understand, not just sign as a formality on joining.
Historical Note
The term “Articles of Agreement” dates back centuries in maritime employment law, reflecting how long formal, documented seafarer employment terms have been considered a legal necessity rather than an informal arrangement.
Exam Relevance
Crew agreement/SEA requirements under MLC 2006 are a standard Ship Knowledge topic in deck and engine officer competency exams.