The seafarer´s rights and P&I coverage on the crew in the UK

Abstract: In this thesis different topics will be explained, with the common denominator that all of them are related to the seafarers rights and the extend of the cover on the crew of the P&I Clubs in every case. In order to have a comprehensive view of the relation between the seafarer’s rights and the P&I Clubs cover on the crew, the following topics will be addressed: • The origins of the P&I Clubs, how they work and the scope of their cover and the International Group of the P&I Clubs • The Common Law liability and negligence in the UK; the contractual law and P&I Cover on the crew. Since The ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 will be implemented in the UK, and most of the UK law comply already with this convention, the convention will be explained and the UK statutory law regarding the seafarer’s rights will be addressed by a cross reference at the end of this thesis. • Direct action against the P&I Clubs in the UK in case of crew claims; the Pay to be paid rule, and the Direct Action (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930 and 2010 will be explained. • Piracy and P&I cover on the crew, what is it and to what extend the claims of the crew are covered by the P&I clubs (injury, illness, repatriation, substitution, the payment of ransom…) • Criminalization of the seafarers; the reasons of this trend and the extend of the coverage of the P&I Clubs on the crew are analysed. The focus will be on English Seafarers on board English registered ships.