Human Resources Manager

Primary qualification

• Degree in Labour Relations and HR, Psychology or Business Administration; a master's in HR management is valued (usual academic route).
• Proven knowledge of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006): the ship's maritime labour certificate (DMLC) audits processes —SEA contracts, rest, complaints, repatriation— that this role manages daily.

Basic STCW

• STCW A-VI/1 Basic Safety Training.
• A-V/2 crowd management and, as a manager with a control-centre role, A-V/2 crisis management and human behaviour per the muster list (verify per company).
• Valid seafarer medical certificate per flag.

Specific courses

• Applied MLC 2006: Title 2 (SEA, Regulation 2.3 hours of work and rest, Regulation 2.5 repatriation) and the onboard complaint procedure (Regulation 5.1.5).
• Crew management systems (Adonis, OCS or others per line): rotations, certificate expiries and payroll.
• Mediation and conflict resolution in multicultural teams; internal investigation of harassment/bullying complaints (2016 amendments to MLC 2006, as a guide).
• Crew visas and documentation: US C1/D, FAL Convention forms and crew lists.
• Crew data protection (GDPR if the operator or itinerary is EU-based — as a guide).

Indicative experience

As a guide: 5-8 years in HR or people operations, including 2+ shipboard contracts (crew coordinator / crew purser) before the post; the role manages 1,000-2,000 crew with weekly rotations. Each line sets its own minimums.

Observations

Typical route: Crew Coordinator → shipboard HR Manager → fleet/corporate HR ashore. Rest hours (MLC 2006 Regulation 2.3 and STCW A-VIII/1: minimums of 10 h per 24 h and 77 h weekly — wording as a guide) are the first front in Port State Control inspections: incomplete records generate direct deficiencies. In an emergency the role coordinates crew POB lists in the control centre. The MLC onboard complaint procedure requires handling with deadlines and without retaliation: its management is auditable, not discretionary.

Typical watches

• Administrative shift with emergency control centre role

Key responsibilities

• Manage rotations, contracts, visas, discipline and crew welfare.
• Ensure MLC 2006 compliance on board: seafarer employment agreements (SEA), rest hours and repatriation.
• Handle disciplinary cases and manage complaints under the onboard procedures required by MLC 2006.
• Manage the Crew Bar, crew welfare and crew recreation activities.

Operational scope

• Admin offices, crew areas, emergency control centre