MLA,2006 as amended up to 2014 doesn’t do compromise.
Regulation 2.3 paragraph 5(a) gives the maximum hours of work as :
14 hours in any 24 hour period.
Or 72 hours in any 7 day period.
I used to have breakfast in the wheel house when 6 on 6 off so that counted legitimately as work time.
From some of the comments posted it would seem that some didn’t eat, shower, or do their laundry. The regulations were framed in the realisation that in addition to work and sleep seafarers have other things to do.