The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), often referred to as the 'Seafarers' Bill of Rights,' is an international legal framework established by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It sets out comprehensive rights and protections for all seafarers, including those employed on commercial yachts. The MLC establishes minimum requirements for nearly every aspect of working life for seafarers. It provides clear provisions related to employment conditions, hours of work and rest, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, health protection, medical care, welfare, and social security protection. In the context of commercial yachts, the convention regulates the nature of employment agreements, safeguards against exploitation, conditions for repatriation, access to necessary medical care, and other relevant professional and social rights of yacht crew members. Compliance is mandatory for countries that have ratified the convention and for vessels that fly the flags of those nations. The MLC aims to ensure that seafarers, irrespective of their nationality and the flag of the ships they work on, can enjoy decent working conditions and social rights at sea.

1. Hours of Work and Rest: The Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) stipulates that seafarers are entitled to adequate and regulated hours of work and rest. This ensures safety onboard the yacht and promotes better health and performance from crew members. The guideline protects seafarers from having to work overly long continuous shifts that can lead to fatigue and poor decision-making. 2. Accommodations: The MLC guarantees seafarers decent accommodation and recreational facilities on yachts. The standard covers a range of criteria from the size and quality of rooms to the provision of personal hygiene facilities. This not only helps improve the living conditions but also contributes to the overall morale and wellbeing of the sea crew. 3. Healthcare: The convention ensures that seafarers have access to appropriate medical care onboard the ship. It requires ship owners to have adequate medical provisions, equipment, and trained personnel to deal with both common and emergency medical situations. 4. Employment Contracts: Under the MLC, all seafarers are entitled to a fair and enforceable contract. The contract should clearly state terms of employment including wages, working hours, leave, contractual rights and obligations. This provision prevents abuse and exploitation while offering a clear understanding of the job between both parties. 5. Repatriation: The MLC includes provisions about seafarers' right to be repatriated at no cost to themselves. If a seafarer’s contract ends while they are in a foreign port, the employer is required to pay all costs associated with returning the seafarer to their home country. This ensures that seafarers are not abandoned in a foreign country with no means to get home.

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) often referred to as the "Seafarers' Bill of Rights," is an international agreement that safeguards the rights and ensures the fair treatment of seafarers worldwide, including those working on commercial yachts. An interesting fun fact about the MLC is that it is not just a single set of rules but rather a comprehensive system that includes nearly every aspect of a seafarer's working life. From the minimum age required for individuals to work at sea, the right to a safe and secure workplace, access to medical care, to conditions of employment, hours of rest, and the handling of complaints, the MLC touches on it all. Remarkably, the regulations apply to all vessels engaged in commercial activities, regardless of the size- including those plush luxury yachts! Another entertaining detail is that the MLC also ensures that seafarers have the right to decent accommodations and recreational facilities on board. So the next time you see a commercial yacht, know that its crew is protected by the MLC, their very own "bill of rights!"