Is It Realistically Possible to Strictly Maintain Rest Hours Onboard with the Current Manning Strength?

Maintaining rest hours onboard ships has been a long-standing challenge in the maritime industry. Despite regulations under the STCW Convention and MLC 2006 mandating minimum hours of rest for seafarers, the reality is often far from ideal.

With the current manning strength, especially on many merchant vessels, it becomes increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to strictly comply with rest hour requirements.

The Port Challenge: Long Hours and Non-Stop Operations

The issue becomes more critical when ships are at port. Port stays are hectic periods involving:

• Continuous cargo operations (loading/unloading)
• Frequent paperwork and inspections
• Dealing with port authorities and agents
• Preparation for departure

All these tasks demand the active involvement of the crew, especially deck and engine officers. The Chief Officer and Second Engineer, for instance, are often required to be available almost round the clock, managing the cargo and machinery operations while also ensuring safety.

As a result, rest hours are either compromised or, at times, manipulated on paper to show compliance.

Pressure from Management: A Silent Reality

Adding to the challenge is the unspoken pressure from shore management. While companies emphasize compliance on paper, seafarers often face subtle or direct pressure to “get the job done”—even if it means violating rest hours. Some common scenarios include:

• Urging the crew to complete tasks faster to reduce port stay
• Expecting seafarers to handle multiple roles without extra manpower
• Insisting on strict compliance only in records, not in practice

This conflict between operational demands and regulatory compliance puts seafarers in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between safety and following orders.

The Way Forward

To realistically maintain rest hours, there needs to be:

✅ Adequate manning onboard, especially during port stays
✅ Realistic voyage planning to avoid overworking the crew
✅ Genuine support from management, understanding the challenges faced by the crew
✅ Proper risk assessment for tasks that may lead to fatigue

Until these systemic issues are addressed, strict compliance with rest hours remains a theoretical ideal rather than an achievable reality.