The Code of Conduct for the Merchant Navy is a well-established document, setting out principles aimed at ensuring high standards of discipline on board merchant ships and hence promoting the well-being of the seafarers working on them. It is agreed between shipowners and seafarers’ representatives and approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The code is widely used across the shipping industry – it has been adopted by many employers of seafarers for use on ships registered in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and it may be referred to in Seafarer Employment Agreements. Disciplinary procedures form a key element of following the code and can raise major issues, especially when a seafarer has committed a breach serious enough to warrant dismissal from the ship.

The Code of Conduct has recently undergone a comprehensive revision to ensure that it remained up-to-date and relevant, which in turn led the UK Chamber of Shipping to review and revise its Guide. The recommendations set out are not designed to be definitive but give advice on good practice on how investigations and hearings should be conducted on board.

Acknowledgement

Introduction

The sanctions behind the system

The role of the Master

The key paragraphs of the Code

Informal disciplinary procedure at Petty Officer/Junior Officer level

Formal disciplinary procedure

Investigation

Disciplinary hearing

Records of disciplinary hearings

Record of Warning forms

Official Log Book entries

Formal warning

Written warning

Final warning

Dismissal from the ship

Prosecution

Disciplinary procedures when the seafarer is absent

Failure to join or rejoin

Advanced discharge

Annex 1: Revised Code of Conduct for the Merchant Navy

Annex 2: The Merchant Shipping (Official Log Books)

Regulations 1981 as amended by the Merchant Shipping (Official Log Books) (Amendment) Regulations 1991

Annex 3: Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Section 58

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