C2.3.b. What are the standards for minimum hours of rest and maximum hours of work?
Standard A2.3, paragraph 4 of the MLC, 2006 requires countries, in determining the national standards, to take account of the danger posed by the fatigue of seafarers, especially those whose duties involve navigational safety and the safe and secure operation of the ship. Standard A2.3, paragraphs 5 and 6, set out the basic parameters for these standards:
(a) no more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period [see C2.3.c.]; and 72 hours in any seven- day period; if the basis chosen by the country is maximum hours of work;
(b) at least ten hours in any 24-hour period; and 77 hours in any seven-day period; if the basis chosen by the country is minimum hours of rest.
Hours of rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at
least six hours in length, and the interval between consecutive periods of rest must not exceed 14 hours.