The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, (MLC) in force with effect from August 20, 2013, sets forth clear standards for medical care for the mariner, both onboard ship and on shore. In particular, Title IV requires:
It is clear from this language and the overall text of Regulation A4.1 that the MLC requires that a proactive “prearranged” medical plan be in place before the ship sets sail. No longer is a reactive, frenetic response to seafarer emergency medical care sufficient, if it ever were so. Today’s shipowner is required to have access to medical professionals and facilities 24/7 in advance of necessity, not only for emergency situations but also to respond to the mariner’s general health care needs, onboard ship and ashore.
Enrollment in Future Care’s Caring For the Crew® program promotes compliance with these and other essential requirements of the MLC regarding crew medical care on board ship and ashore. Future Care Physician Advice at Sea provides a 24 hour presence of practiced physicians, nurses and other health care professionals for the mariner while onboard ship. Our medical case management and oversight during treatment onboard and through transition to shore demonstrates compliance with the mandate to provide “medical care as comparable as possible to that which is generally available to workers ashore.” Our global network of medical facilities and treatment providers assures compliance with MLC requirements for land-side medical treatment.
Further, Future Care’s specially-designed shipboard wellness program furnishes the necessary assets to assist the shipowner in providing “measures of a preventive character,” diagnosing and treating chronic conditions onboard, as medically appropriate.
The number of flag and port states ratifying the MLC continues to grow. Enforcement measures are likely to increase proportionally. Future Care’s Caring For the Crew® program provides a convenient and cost-effective regimen to assist the shipowner in complying with both the letter and the spirit of MLC Title IV obligations regarding crew medical care on board ship and ashore.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR PRICING INFORMATION FOR FUTURE CARE’S CARING FOR THE CREW PROGRAM, MLC COMPLIANCE OR ANY INDIVIDUAL SERVICE AT INFO@FUTURECAREINC.COM
Please explore our other services, summarized on our Caring for the Crew® Program page.
