For Seafarers

Help for seafarers.

Unpaid wages, stuck on board, left without a way home, hurt at sea, or facing action after an incident — if you are a seafarer in difficulty, you can speak to counsel who has stood on the deck himself. Our founding counsel commanded ships for ten years before coming to the Bar. You will be understood here.

We understand what you are going through.

A seafarer's problems rarely wait for office hours, and they are rarely simple. Wages go unpaid for months. A vessel is arrested or abandoned and the crew is left aboard without provisions, wages or a flight home. An injury at sea turns into a fight over compensation. An incident on watch becomes a question of blame. These are not just legal problems — they are personal ones, far from home.

Because our founding counsel served as a Master Mariner before he qualified as an advocate, you will not have to explain what life and work at sea is like. That understanding shapes how we act for you — quickly, plainly, and with respect for the position you are in.

How we help.

01

Unpaid & delayed wages

Recovery of unpaid or short-paid wages, including claims against the vessel and security through ship arrest where appropriate. Wage claims are among the strongest maritime claims in law.

02

Abandonment & repatriation

Where you have been abandoned, left without wages, provisions or a route home, we act to secure your wages, your repatriation, and the protections owed to you under MLC 2006 and the flag-State and port-State framework.

03

Injury, illness & death claims

Personal-injury and illness claims arising from service at sea, and claims by the families of seafarers who have died, against owners, managers and insurers.

04

Contracts, disputes & inquiries

Review of employment and SEA terms, disputes with owners or manning agents, and representation where you face disciplinary action or an inquiry after an incident at sea.

Your rights under MLC 2006 — in plain terms.

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) — often called the "seafarers' bill of rights" — sets out minimum protections that flag States, port States and shipowners are bound to respect. Knowing them is the first step to enforcing them.

i.Wages. You are entitled to be paid regularly and in full under your seafarer employment agreement. Persistent non-payment can support a maritime claim and, in the right case, the arrest of the vessel as security.
ii.Repatriation. You have a right to be sent home at the shipowner's expense in defined circumstances — at the end of your contract, on illness or injury, or on abandonment — without it being deducted from wages owed.
iii.Abandonment cover. Ships are required to carry financial security to cover abandonment — outstanding wages, repatriation and essential needs. We can help you reach the insurer and enforce that cover.
iv.Medical care & compensation. You are entitled to medical care during service and to compensation for injury, illness or disability arising from your employment.
v.Decent conditions. Hours of work and rest, accommodation, food and a safe working environment are protected minimums, not favours.
vi.Access to complaint procedures. You have the right to raise complaints on board and ashore — including to port-State authorities — without suffering retaliation for doing so.

This is general information about rights under MLC 2006 and Indian maritime law, not legal advice on your specific situation. The remedies available depend on the facts, the flag of the vessel, and where it is. Speak to counsel before acting.

Speak to counsel who understands the sea.

If your wages are unpaid, you are stranded, or you are facing action after an incident, get in touch. Initial enquiries are confidential and without obligation.

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