Crew Employment

Since the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention and due to the increasingly litigious environment we now operate within, crew employment is becoming increasingly complex. The Maritime Labour Convention requires all crew to be employed with an approved Seafarers Employment Agreement that is compliant with all aspects of the Convention.

To best protect the owner’s interests regarding the liability associated with crew employment, we recommend that crew not be employed by the yachts owning company but by a separate crew employment company. This provides complete separation between the yacht’s ownership and crew employment and provides the best protection for the owner.

To achieve this, Arrow Services Monaco work closely with Cornerstone Crew, a dedicated crew employment company operating from the Isle of Man. Cornerstone Crew are fully conversant with the Maritime Labour Convention and the employment agreements used have been approved by multiple flag states as being compliant with the Convention. Crew are employed through an employment company, specifically dedicated to your yacht, to prevent any possible cross contamination from problems associated with other vessels/owners.  We believe this structure to provide the best protection for the owner.

• Cornerstone Crew services include:

• Approved Seamans Employment Agreements (SEA);

• Amendments to the SEA as necessary;

• Employment termination;

• Monthly payroll.

Crew Management

Crew employment, contracts and payroll are just a small part of crew management. In addition, crew recruitment, flag state requirements, crew discipline and complaints as well as practical issues such as insurance and crew travel must also be managed. Once crew are employed, it is also important to work with them to maximise their potential and longevity onboard, to minimise the costs associated with high crew turnover and promote a stable team environment for crew and owners alike.

Arrow has many years of practical experience covering all aspects of crew management, including:

• Crew search, crew interview process;

• Reference and background checks;

• Verification of qualifications and statutory certificates;

• Medical insurance administration;

• Continuous monitoring of certification to maintain compliance;

• Oversight of leave records and management;

• Coordinate crew appraisals;

• Management of crew discipline and crew complaints;

• Ongoing crew administration – crew visas, training/ personal development crew travel.