28/07/2026
FATIGUE AT SEA: COMPLIANCE IS MORE THAN A PAPER EXERCISE
BIMCO has launched an international survey examining operational crewing levels and compliance with seafarers’ work-and-rest-hour requirements.
The survey seeks practical information about:
• crewing levels and operational workloads;
• compliance with minimum rest hours;
• the accuracy of work and rest records;
• watchkeeping arrangements; and
• the effectiveness of current monitoring practices.
These issues are particularly relevant in Australia. AMSA has warned that fatigue poses a serious risk to vessel safety, crew performance and seafarer wellbeing. Importantly, complying with minimum rest hours on paper may not, by itself, adequately manage fatigue.
Shipowners and operators should ensure that:
✓ crewing levels reflect the vessel’s actual operational demands;
✓ watchkeeping arrangements allow meaningful rest;
✓ work and rest records accurately reflect the hours worked; and
✓ the Safety Management System addresses fatigue as an operational risk.
AMSA has stated that falsification of rest-hour records is unacceptable and that serious deficiencies may result in enforcement action or vessel detention.
Effective fatigue management protects crews, vessels and commercial operations.
Pacific Maritime Lawyers assists shipowners, operators and maritime businesses with regulatory compliance, incident response and maritime legal matters.
Read the BIMCO update:
https://www.bimco.org/news-insights/bimco-news/2026/07/13-crew-survey/
General information only and not legal advice.
