Ensuring Crew Health: Understanding Medical Rights and Responsibilities Onboard

Tankiti Jumpakag

September 30,2024

What to Do If a Crew Member Falls Ill Onboard?

In normal circumstances, most people can visit a hospital to receive treatment under social security, a universal healthcare card, or private health insurance. However, the situation on a vessel is different, as there is no doctor on board, and more importantly, the vessel may be far from shore, making hospitals inaccessible. Additionally, healthcare coverage such as social security, universal healthcare, or private insurance may not apply while working on a ship.


Crew Members' Rights to Medical Care Onboard

According to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), it is clearly stated in Regulation 4.1 that seafarers have the right to medical care and attention when needed. Crew members are entitled to see a doctor or dentist if necessary while the vessel is in port, and the cost of treatment will be fully covered by the ship's P&I Club or company insurance. This means that if a crew member becomes ill in any situation, they can request to see a doctor. If the vessel is in port, the crew can go ashore to receive treatment. If the vessel is still at sea, the crew can request to visit a doctor at the next port.


Common Issues

Although crew members have the right to medical treatment, some companies sometimes try to avoid sending crew ashore to see a doctor due to concerns about delays or additional costs. They may negotiate to provide medical care onboard instead, which violates the legal rights of the crew protected by law.

There has been a case where a Thai crew member was denied permission to go ashore for medical treatment because the vessel was about to depart, and the company was concerned about delays. Unfortunately, the crew member did not receive timely treatment and passed away at sea just one day after the vessel left port.


What Should Crew Members Do If Denied Medical Rights?

If a crew member is denied permission to go ashore for medical treatment based on unreasonable grounds, they can file a complaint with the authority responsible for the MLC. Complaints can be submitted via email to info@seafarersrights.org.


It is important to remember that if a crew member dies in such a case, the company may report the death to the family as due to unknown causes and simply replace the crew member. Filing complaints and enforcing rights can help reduce the number of unnecessary deaths, especially among Thai crew members.


Therefore, the most important thing is to be aware of your rights and insist that companies comply with the law to protect the health and safety of all crew members working at sea.