C2.3.c. What is meant by “any 24-hour period”?

Standard A2.3, paragraph 5(b) of the MLC, 2006 provides that hours of rest must not be less than ten hours “in any 24-hour period”. Thus, any 24-hour period – starting at any moment during a day – must comprise at least ten hours of rest ⁵¹ . In other words, the “any 24-hour period” must be understood as “rolling” period of 24 hours starting at the beginning, at the end, or during any period of rest or of work. As a result, working-time arrangements must ensure that seafarers receive a minimum of ten hours of rest during a period of 24 hours starting for example at 8 p.m. but also during the period of 24 hours starting at 9 p.m., and then 10 p.m., 11 p.m., midnight on the next day, etc.

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Hours of work and hours of rest