The rights and obligations of seafarers are governed by a robust framework of national and international law designed to ensure their welfare and protect their interests. In Georgia, maritime labor relations are principally regulated by the Maritime Code and the Law "On the Labour of Seafarers," which fully incorporates the standards of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Our firm provides comprehensive legal counsel to shipowners, crewing agencies, and seafarers on all aspects of maritime crew law. We specialize in ensuring that employment practices are fully compliant with these stringent regulations, thereby mitigating legal risks for employers and safeguarding the fundamental rights of crew members.
A cornerstone of Georgian maritime crew law is the mandatory Seafarer's Employment Agreement (SEA). This legally enforceable contract must be signed by both the seafarer and the shipowner or their representative and must contain specific, non-negotiable terms. Our legal services include the drafting, review, and negotiation of these agreements to ensure they clearly define the seafarer's duties, wages, hours of work and rest, entitlement to paid annual leave, and conditions for termination, as mandated by law. We ensure every SEA provides seafarers with a fair contract and decent working and living conditions, helping shipowners meet their legal obligations and avoid potential disputes that could lead to vessel detention or financial penalties.
Our expertise also covers the critical obligations of shipowners regarding seafarer welfare and protection. This includes ensuring all crew members hold valid medical certificates and have the necessary qualifications in line with the STCW Convention. We provide detailed advice on repatriation rights, which guarantee a seafarer's prompt return home at the shipowner's expense under various circumstances, including the end of a contract, illness, shipwreck, or the shipowner's insolvency. Furthermore, we handle personal injury and illness claims with diligence, ensuring that seafarers receive the medical care, sick pay, and disability compensation they are entitled to under Georgian law and the shipowner's compulsory P&I insurance. In the event of disputes over unpaid wages, contractual breaches, or personal injury, we provide strong legal representation to protect our client's rights and achieve a just and timely resolution.
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