Seafarers

Seafarers are excluded completely from the WTR regulations (WTR 18 (1)(a)) and are covered instead by regulations based on the Seafarers’ Directive and Seafarers’ Enforcement Directive (SHWR). Provision for medical examinations was implemented separately through the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations 2002, while elements of the 1997 Safe Manning Regulations remain in force too. The SHWR regulations apply to any person employed or engaged in any capacity on board a sea-going ship (as defined) on the business of the ship (SHWR 2). They were amended to include tugs. Workers whose normal place of work is onshore are covered by the WTR regulations instead. No person aged under 16 is allowed to work on a ship.