What yacht crew pay themselves: agency fees, visas, travel and repatriation
Which costs the MLC puts on the employer and which stay with crew: agency fees, passport, visas, medicals, repatriation, food, water and medical care.
Under the Maritime Labour Convention, yacht crew may not be charged for being placed in a job, and the employer pays for visas, repatriation, food, drinking water and medical care while you are employed. Crew may be asked to pay for their own passport, seafarer's book and national medical certificate. For travel to join a yacht and for uniforms, the MLC has no clear rule.
This applies on yachts covered by the MLC, which is explained in our guide to the MLC.
Who pays which cost?
| Cost | Who pays | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agency or placement fees | never the crew member, directly or indirectly | MLC, Standard A1.4(5)(b) |
| Visa | employer | MLC, Standard A1.4(5)(b); ILO FAQ, C1.4.h |
| Passport, seafarer's book, national medical certificate | may be paid by the crew member | ILO FAQ, C1.4.g |
| Repatriation (flight, accommodation, food, 30 kg luggage) | employer; no advance payment may be demanded | MLC, Standard A2.5.1 and Guideline B2.5.1 |
| Food and drinking water on board | free | MLC, Regulation 3.2; ILO FAQ, C3.2.b |
| Medical care on board and when landed abroad | free (within national law) | MLC, Standard A4.1 |
| Sickness and injury from joining until repatriation | employer, at least 16 weeks of treatment, full wage while on board | MLC, Standard A4.2.1 |
| Travel to join the yacht | no clear rule in the MLC | ILO FAQ leaves it open |
| Uniform | no rule in the MLC; only protective equipment in the right size must be provided | ILO FAQ, C4.3.b |
Can a crew agency charge you a fee?
No. Under the MLC, fees for recruitment, placement or employment must not be borne by the seafarer, directly or indirectly (MLC, Standard A1.4(5)(b)). In the UK, agencies must ensure this, with the same exceptions as the MLC (MCA, MGN 475). Agencies must also let you review your contract before and after signing and give you a copy, and must be insured to compensate you if they or the employer fail their obligations.
The MCA warns that on ships under a flag that has not ratified the MLC, crew can be charged for services that would not be allowed under it (MCA, MGN 476).
What about repatriation if you are dismissed?
The employer may only recover repatriation costs from your wages if you were dismissed for a serious default of your duties (MLC, Standard A2.5.1). In the UK, this is only possible if your contract provides for it (MCA, MGN 479). Time spent waiting for and travelling home should not be deducted from your accrued leave.
From the 2025 amendments, expected to apply from 23 December 2027, the list of repatriation costs the employer must cover becomes binding (ILO FAQ).
Other rules on deductions
- No deductions from wages for obtaining or keeping a job.
- Fines against crew should be prohibited unless allowed by law or collective agreement.
- Goods and services sold on board should be at fair prices.
All from MLC, Guideline B2.2.2.
Sources
Maritime Labour Convention 2006 as amended (ILO), ILO MLC FAQ 6th edition 2026 and UK MCA (MGN 475, MGN 476, MGN 479). All checked on 4 October 2026 and linked above.
Sources and image rights
- Images
- JÉSHOOTS / Pexels (conditions)
- Checked
- 4 October 2026 by Andreas Lakeberg
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