Technical Circular No: 013/2026
1. Kitts & Nevis has issued Maritime Circular- MC 156 26 regarding Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the MLC –Seafarer Employment Agreements and Wage Compliance. The Campaign is mandatory for all their vessels undergoing Flag state Inspection effective from 6 July 2026.
2. The purpose of CIC is to evaluate compliance of following critical pillars of the Maritime Labor convention:
i. Certification & Documentation: Verifying the presence and validity of the Maritime Labor.
ii. Socio Economic Compliance: Ensuring Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs) are signed, in the correct language, and that wage payment schedules are strictly followed.
iii. Operational Welfare: Auditing hours of rest records for compliance with MLC 2006 requirements and ensuring that the onboard complaint procedure is not only displayed but understood by the crew.
iv. Hygiene and Infrastructure: Comprehensive inspection of food quality, storage temperatures, galley hygiene, and the structural integrity of crew accommodation.
3. During the inspection following items will be verified by the Flag State Inspector
i. Review the vessel's prior PSC history specifically for MLC deficiencies, and if there have been any crew complaints in the pass reported to the flag or to any local authority.
ii. Conduct face-to-face interviews with at least two crew members regarding their understanding of the onboard complaint procedure.
iii. Valid Maritime Labor Certificate and DMLC Part I and II
iv. Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs) are signed, in the correct language, and that wage payment schedules are strictly followed.
v. On-board Complaint Procedure Displayed.
vi. Galley Hygiene & Food Storage facility
vii. Medical Chest Inventory and expiry date of medicine.
viii. Hours of Rest Records and documented (1 month)
ix. Safety Drill Records are maintained and carried out as per SMS policy
x. Crew Cabins and Recreation Spaces is as per MLC 2006.
4. An MLC compliance audit sheet is attached to the Maritime Circular- MC 156 26 which will be used by the FSI inspector to successfully complete the inspection during the Concentrated Campaign.
5. Kindly ensure that your vessels always remain prepared and compliant.
Enclosure:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.