C2.3.i. What is a short break? Does a meal break count as rest?

Standard A2.3, paragraph 1(b), defines hours of rest as meaning “time outside hours of work; this term does not include short breaks”. There is no definition of a “short break” and this is a matter left to the flag State’s national law or practice or any applicable collective agreement. However, any break from work would be a “short break” if it is not conducive to the seafarer having a rest. This could include, for example, breaks such as a meal break.

Hours of work and hours of rest