The Club is mailing a package of the International Shipping Federation's (ISF) guide publication "Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Conventions (2nd edition)" and the Lloyds Register/UK Club "ILO MLC pocket checklist" free to all its members.

UK Club Loss Prevention Director, Karl Lumbers, explained: "The vast majority of our members should not find it difficult to comply with MLC standards. But the system of enforcement is new and it would be frustrating for our owners to face detention due to simple teething problems with documentation or other proofs of compliance."

Both publications focus on helping employers ensure compliance with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which enters into force in six months time on the 13th August.

The ISF Guidelines booklet provides important insights into the MLC certification process including a completed example of the new Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) to demonstrate ongoing compliance as required by the ILO Convention. Guidance on the Port State Control procedure includes the list of standards inspected, a summary of the inspectors' powers and explanation of the grounds for more detailed inspections, or detention.

UK Club members will be able to buy further copies of the guidelines with the benefit of a twenty per cent discount from the ISF headquarters (

) if they order using the attached form.

The guidelines also address MLC requirements relating to seafarers' contractual arrangements, oversight of manning agencies, work and rest hours, health and safety, crew accommodation, catering standards and new requirements concerning on board complaints procedures. Compliance with all relevant standards can also be checked with a detailed checklist which can be printed via an accompanying CD.

The Lloyds Register/UK Club checklist is enclosed in hard copy notebook format but it can also be downloaded as a smartphone app. The pocket checklist app serves as an interactive tool that enables ships' crews and their managers to view the requirements of the ILO MLC and check off required activities as they are completed. The app is free and available for iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Windows phone and BlackBerry.