What are the work rest rules when including travel to the vessel?
Example you spend 12s traveling to vessel arrive and then need to bunker for 12 to 18 hrs.
I found some literature on it from 2001
Travel time to a vessel is considered to be neutral time as it is normally not considered to be “rest,” “off-duty,” or “work” time, but all relevant circumstances should be considered in evaluating whether a mariner complies with the applicable “rest” required by STCW or “off duty” requirements specified in 46 U.S.C. §8104(a).
What does your union contract say? If you are not in a union I suppose you could hire an attorney to argue the 46 U.S.C. 8104a. or you could just suck it up and realize how happy the guy you are relieving is and how you’ll feel when the situation is reversed.
You are reading this the wrong way has nothing to do with the relief process, has to do with staying with in work / rest rules and the company wanting you to go over hours to keep the boat moving. Not interested in what the union cotract says cause ultimately USCG has authority.
I have no problem reliving the guy but if the company wants to cut cost by flying you in the same day for crew change verus the day before saving hotel costs then expects you to bunker or do some operation and be outside work rest rules just to keep the boat moving then thats a problem.
The code of laws for mariners are basically suggestions as the law is not enforced until after the fact for some catastrophic event. No union, no rules. You are an “at will” employee unless you have enough wealth to hire an attorney to fight the company for violating a law that most judges don’t care about. Meanwhile you’d lose your job for some other offense. Sometimes working folks just have to eat a little crap to keep on making a living. Sucks but that is life
If by “bunker” you mean while still in port then I don’t think the code you cited is relevant anyway. (a) refers specifically to “charge of the deck watch on a vessel when leaving or immediately after leaving port”.
The question might be whether or not the crew member is “assigned duty” while traveling. We suspect not, but as was highlighted earlier, may be a topic in an accident investigation.
Remember, however, that STCW rest hours are only one metric of whether or not a crew member is fatigued. Additionally, even though a crew member might be rest hour compliant, they may still be dangerously fatigued due to a combination of exertion, environment, stress and numerous other factors.
Current company is of the "we expect you to be rested coming into work " mentality. Tho it would be nice if they gave you a full day after a 13 hour flight
This happens all the time and I’ve never heard anything but the occasional complaint because all involved know this is par for the course. Now this doesn’t negate the fact it could contribute to fatigue but we just deal with it. The OP asked what are the rules regarding traveling? There are none to my knowledge. In our company we use Watchkeeper with the applicable OPA 90 rules for rest. Travel isn’t even mentioned. We have short runs where the CM is in violation more than he is not.
