Maritime Labour Convention

This guidance document provides practical information for shipowners, masters, and seafarers on MLC certification, inspection requirements, seafarer employment agreements, working and rest hours, complaints procedures, health and safety standards, and other key obligations. The document includes model forms, tools, and policy templates to assist with compliance and support the welfare of seafarers on Cook Islands-flagged vessels.

Download the MLC Guidance Document

Download Model Forms and Tools referred to in the MLC Guidance

• Record of Employment
• Table of Shipboard Working Arrangements
• Working and Rest Hour Tool
• Medical Report Form
• MLC Complaint Form

Online Forms

• DMLC Part II Application Form
• MLC Complaint Form
• MLC Exemptions Request Form

For faster and more efficient processing please use the online forms

MLC Complaints

Seafarers serving on Cook Islands-flagged vessels have the right to raise complaints about breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention without fear of retaliation. Issues should first be raised and resolved onboard, using the ship’s complaint procedure. If unresolved, a complaint may be submitted to the shipowner, master, port authorities, or directly to Maritime Cook Islands at mlc@maritimecookislands.com. All complaints are handled confidentially and must be recorded, with fair and timely follow-up.

For further details please refer to our MLC Guidance Document

To submit a formal complaint please complete our MLC Complaint form 

Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance – Part II (DMLC II)

The DMLC Part II is completed by the MLC shipowner or their representative. It sets out the shipowner’s measures to ensure ongoing compliance with Cook Islands’ national requirements under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. The document must address each of the 16 areas in DMLC Part I and describe how compliance will be maintained and continuously improved. Once submitted, the DMLC II is reviewed by Maritime Cook Islands as part of the MLC inspection and certification process.

For further details please refer to our MLC Guidance Document

Submit your DMLC II Application online for faster processing