Cadet onboard contracts

[Jay Cee]

I'm looking for a sample contract which we as cadets normally sign when we go onboard ships. Is there such a contract anyway where they state what the shipowners have to provide when cadets get sick or need to be repatriated, or even wages? Or do we use a regular seafarer employment agreement?

Can't find anything cadet-specific but i found this ...

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-healthandsafety/maritime_labour_convention_2006/mcga-ds-ssh-mlc-sea.htm

[Randomist]

Your contract will be with the shipping company or the employment agency you have your cadetship with.

You sign onto the ships articles when you join a ship and this is the agreement between you, the ship and the shipowner. It also confirms your acceptance of the ship's crew agreement and that you abide by the rules set down within.

As far as falling sick goes, it is the responsibility of the shipowner to repatriate you when you are disembarked through illness or disciplinary action. This requirement is set down by law and you may not find a direct clause in your contract relating to it. What you may find is a separate clause that says if you're disembarked and repatriated as part of disciplinary procedures the company may reserve the right to reclaim the financial cost of your repatriation from you.

[GuinnessMan]

I'm looking for a sample contract which we as cadets normally sign when we go onboard ships. Is there such a contract anyway where they state what the shipowners have to provide when cadets get sick or need to be repatriated, or even wages? Or do we use a regular seafarer employment agreement?

Can't find anything cadet-specific but i found this ...

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-hom...sh-mlc-sea.htm

You won't be signing a contract when you get on board as that, normally, is done before hand in the Manning Agents office. However UK Cadets don't even do that as you have already signed a sponsorship agreement before you became a cadet, so that takes care of wages and what not.

What you will sign, as Randomist said, are the Ship's Articles which I won't go into. If you were to fall on-board, what would happen would depend on the severity of your illness. If it's manflu, then it's a case of taking a "man-the-****-up" pill and cracking on. If you're at urgent risk of dying, then the ship will be diverted to the nearest port where you will get off, sorted out and sent home. I've known of one or two folks who've had to be Medivac'ed off a vessel for falling seriously ill or sticking a bit of themselves where they shouldn't have. All of this is paid for by Owner/P&I.

[Jay Cee]

Thanks for the responses. So there won't be any difference on the 'benefits' from a regular crew and a cadet then (regarding sick wages and payout in case of disability or death)?

[GuinnessMan]

Thanks for the responses. So there won't be any difference on the 'benefits' from a regular crew and a cadet then (regarding sick wages and payout in case of disability or death)?

Are you planning to fall ill or be killed whilst at sea?

[HolyNougat]

No - there is no difference really, all crew members sign onto the same articles, with the exception of the master or if you are under 18. Cruise ship companies have lots of different sets, but they all say basically the same thing.
Your contract of employment will say what your rights are in case of illness etc.