Maritime engagement contract and non-affiliation of navigational personnel in French Polynesia

A seaman was disembarked from the ship on which he worked after several months of navigation, without any valid reason.

Under pressure, he signed a resignation letter and he was disembarked forcibly.

He contacts me to review his maritime engagement contract and informs me that when he wanted to inform the ENIM, that is, the seamen's social regime, of his situation, he learned that he had not been affiliated beforehand.

I therefore study this maritime engagement contract and the non-affiliation of the navigational personnel in French Polynesia and I approach the Labour Court to ascertain the termination of the employment contract by the shipowner (since the resignation must be unequivocal and reflect the exact will of the seaman, which is not the case here) and especially, the hidden work since the non-affiliation of seafarers to the seamen's social regime before the start of the contract amounts to hidden work.

Maritime law covers a set of special rules as well as general law rules. Whether it is for drafting maritime contracts or defending them, do not hesitate to contact Me Florence ROMEO, Expert in maritime law.