E07d.

7 Discharging a seaman from the Crew Agreement, where he is not present at

his discharge
1. Where a seaman is not present at his discharge (i.e. he is unable to “sign off” the List of Crew in person), the
master, a person authorised by him (e.g. a purser), or the employer (e.g. a person from the personnel office
ashore) should make the relevant entries in his absence as described below.
2. If outside the UK and the seaman is being left behind in the country, notify a proper officer (e.g. the nearest
British consul) and record his notification in the Official Log Book narrative section.
3. In the seaman’s Discharge Book (or foreign equivalent), if he available, record his service details as in E07d.6. If
his Discharge Book is not available, complete a Certificate of Discharge. The Discharge Book, if available, or the
Certificate of Discharge should be sent to the seaman if his whereabouts are known, since they may help to
facilitate his eventual repatriation.
4. Complete the discharge details in the shaded spaces in ALC1(a), i.e. the reason for discharge and the date and
place of leaving the ship.
5. In the space in the right hand column of ALC1(a) where the seaman would normally sign off, had he been present,
enter the reason for his absence or being left behind, e.g. “AWOL” or “Hospitalised”.
6. The person making the entries should enter his signature in the lower shaded space of the right hand column in
ALC1(a).
7. Make an entry in the narrative section of the Official Log Book recording the place, date and time of the
seaman’s discharge, quoting the seaman’s reference number on ALC1(a).
8. Notify the employer within 3 days of the change in the List of Crew.
9. Amend the Crew List maintained for port officials’ purposes.

E07d.6 Discharging a seaman from the Crew Agreement, where he is present at his
discharge
1. “Discharge” means discharge from the Crew Agreement contract. Seamen who are not party to a Crew Agreement
are not actually “discharged” (since there are no contractual obligations to discharge them from), and simply “sign
off” the List of Crew (ALC1(b)).
2. In some cases a seaman who is to be discharged may not be present at his discharge, e.g. where he has been taken
to hospital and he is discharged in his absence; see procedure in E07d.7. The following procedure should be used to
discharge a seaman where he is present at his discharge (i.e. he is able to “sign off” in person).
3. In the case of any seaman claiming his discharge, ensure that he has given notice in accordance with the Notice
Clause in the Crew Agreement. (In most cases the company will have notified the master of the names of seamen
to be discharged.)
4. Notify the employer and port agent of the intention to discharge the seaman, so that travel, immigration and
customs arrangements can be made.
5. In the case of a seaman paid wages and/or overtime in cash on board, make up his cash and account of wages
(see E09b), ensuring that the seaman has settled any account on board, e.g. a bar account.
6. A seaman may sign off before the master, a person authorised by him (e.g. a purser), or the employer (e.g. a
person from the personnel office ashore).
7. In the seaman’s Discharge Book (or foreign equivalent), if he produces it, record his service details and return the
book to him. Details to be recorded in a UK Discharge Book are: ship’s name; port of registry/choice; gross
tonnage or net tonnage; official number; description of voyage; capacity in which seaman was employed; dates of
commencing employment and of discharge.
8. If the seaman does not produce a Discharge Book (or foreign equivalent), make out a Certificate of Discharge
recording his service on board, and deliver it to him (see E07b.4c). MGN 123 contains a specimen Certificate of
Discharge which can be photocopied if necessary.
9. Complete the discharge details in the shaded spaces in ALC1(a), i.e. the reason for discharge and the date and
place of leaving the ship.
10. Seaman enters his signature in the upper shaded space of the right hand column in ALC1(a).
11. Person before whom the seaman is discharged enters his signature in the lower shaded space of the right hand
column in ALC1(a).
12. If the seaman requests, give him a Certificate as to the quality of his work or that he has fully discharged his
obligations under his contract (see E07b.4c). This must be given to him within 6 months of his discharge. MCA
form DIS.4 should be used if available.
13. If the seaman is being discharged because of his dismissal following disciplinary procedures, give him a copy of
all Official Log Book entries relating to the disciplinary proceedings (see E10b.7).
14. Permit the seaman to leave the vessel only after receiving port health, customs and immigration clearance
from the relevant official(s).
15. Make an entry in the narrative section of the Official Log Book recording the place, date and time of the
seaman’s discharge, quoting the seaman’s reference number on ALC1(a).
16. Notify the employer within 3 days of the change in the List of Crew.
17. Amend the Crew List maintained for port officials’ purposes.