SuperRoninBook a demoSign in

PSC deficiency code 18203: Wages

Area 18 Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

This code covers whether seafarers are paid what their employment agreement says, on time, with a clear account of how the figure was reached. Inspectors usually come to it from the agreements and payroll records, or because a crew member raised a complaint.

What the inspector looks at

  • Wages paid at no more than monthly intervals, and in full
  • A monthly account (payslip) given to each seafarer, showing pay, extras, deductions and any exchange rate used
  • Basic pay, overtime and leave pay match the seafarer employment agreement (SEA) and any collective agreement
  • Allotments to families sent as the seafarer asked, with proof
  • Overtime records that support the overtime paid
  • Deductions that are allowed by the agreement or national law, and not charges for recruitment or placement

Common findings

  • Wages not paid for the last two months
  • Seafarers not provided with monthly account of wages
  • Wages paid lower than stated in SEA
  • Unauthorised deductions from wages
  • Allotments not remitted to seafarers' families
  • Overtime recorded but not paid

The rule behind it

MLC 2006 Regulation 2.2 and Standard A2.2 cover payment of wages, monthly accounts and allotments. The SEA itself (Regulation 2.1) fixes the amounts. Under the 2014 amendments to the MLC, the shipowner must have financial security for abandonment, and failing to pay contractual wages for at least two months is one of the situations treated as abandonment (Standard A2.5.2). The ship should carry the certificate of that financial security.

Action codes you are likely to see

A missing payslip or a calculation error put right on the spot can be 10 or 17. Late payment that the company settles quickly usually gets 17 or 16. Wages unpaid for a significant period, or a pattern of underpayment, is a serious breach of seafarers' rights and can be a ground for detention (30) until the crew are paid. See action taken codes.

How to close it

Pay what's owed and get proof: bank transfer confirmations, signed receipts for cash paid on board, and signed monthly accounts. Correct the payroll so future pay matches the SEA, refund unauthorised deductions, and send outstanding allotments with remittance records. Explain the cause and the fix through the SMS. Keep the proof of payment and the corrected payslips with the Form B; inspectors commonly ask to see them before lifting a detention.

Questions

Can a ship be detained for unpaid wages?

Yes. Non-payment of wages is one of the MLC areas where a serious or repeated breach can justify detention, and the ship is usually held until the crew have been paid.

How often must seafarers be paid under the MLC?

At intervals of no more than one month, with a monthly account to each seafarer. The SEA or collective agreement may set more detail.

What happens if wages are unpaid for two months?

That situation can count as abandonment under the MLC, which allows seafarers to claim through the shipowner's financial security provider, and port authorities and the flag State will usually get involved.

Sources

Written by the SuperRonin team from the sources above. Last updated 27 Oct 2026. This page explains the rules; the regulation, the PSC officer and your flag and class have the final word. If something here doesn't match what you see on board, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.

Track each deficiency to closure

SuperRonin keeps your fleet's certificates, surveys and PSC inspections. Enter the deficiencies from Form B and one click turns each into a condition with the due date its action code gives, so the office sees what is open and the bell rings before the date. Free during the pilot.

Start a free pilotAll deficiency codes

Other codes in Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

All deficiency codes · Action taken codes