Why Maritime Employers Liability Insurance Matters Even More During Holiday Crew Changes

The holiday season adds more chaos than usual to maritime operations. Crew members rotate out for family leave. Vessel owners rely on temporary or short-term replacements. Many businesses also adjust schedules to support winter operations or year-end project demands.

These temporary shifts create new employer liability exposures, especially when crews become less consistent or vessels operate in harsher conditions. And all of these factors can affect your maritime employers liability (MEL) insurance. 

Why Do Holiday Crew Changes Increase Liability Exposure?

During December, typically, maritime businesses experience a staffing pattern unlike any other month. Full-time crew members may take extended leave, prompting vessel owners to bring in seasonal hires or borrowed crew with limited experience. Even when the replacement workers are skilled, they may be unfamiliar with the vessel, its equipment, or its operating routines.

Winter conditions may compound these risks. Cold-weather deck hazards, restricted visibility, icing, and fatigue from long-haul travel or tight schedules can all increase the likelihood of injury. Many holiday operations, such as charters hosting seasonal events or contractors completing year-end marine construction, can push crews into busier, riskier timeframes.

Because injuries occurring on navigable waters generally fall outside state workers’ comp systems, MEL becomes the primary line of defense. Without it, vessel owners may face significant financial exposure under the Jones Act. This federal law allows maritime workers the right to sue their employer for negligence if they are injured on the job.

This is one time, as the saying goes, when it’s a good idea to keep up with the Joneses.

Why Is MEL Insurance Important for Vessel Owners During Seasonal or Temporary Crew Changes?

Maritime employers liability is a type of insurance policy that any reputable maritime employer carries. MEL responds to crew injury, illness, or death — liabilities that traditional workers’ compensation does not cover. 

MEL fills critical gaps for vessel owners operating on navigable waters and helps protect against Jones Act claims. It protects vessel owners when any crewmember (permanent, temporary, part-time, borrowed, rotating) suffers injury, illness, or death while working aboard a vessel. 

MEL coverage can include:

• Jones Act liability
• Maintenance and cure obligations
• Repatriation and transportation expenses
• Liability arising from crew illness or occupational injury
• Claims involving mixed crews of regular and temporary workers

MEL is especially critical during the holidays, when staffing arrangements shift away from standard patterns. Many marine businesses assume seasonal hires are automatically covered under workers’ comp. However, because these employees work on or from a vessel, coverage typically falls outside state comp systems. And you obviously want to keep your employees protected.

Agents may hear questions such as: Does MEL apply to short-term workers? What if crew members rotate between vessels? What happens when subcontractors contribute labor on board? A review of MEL terms is essential to confirm how the policy responds.

How Can Marine Businesses Reduce Risk During Holiday Staffing Shifts?

You can guide your clients toward effective holiday staffing risk management in a variety of ways, including:

• Verifying subcontractor MEL certificates before work begins
• Conducting safety refreshers for temporary or returning crew
• Providing vessel-specific orientation for short-term workers
• Clearly documenting crew assignments to avoid disputes
• Implementing cold-weather safety procedures and hazard awareness
• Performing winter maintenance checks before launching operations
• Managing fatigue and scheduling around heavy travel periods

Frankly, your clients may appear fatigued themselves, hearing some of this advice. It may sound like overkill to them, but you should position MEL as part of a comprehensive risk-management approach — not simply an insurance requirement or compliance obligation.

Support Your Maritime Clients Through Seasonal Crew Transitions

Holiday operations create exposures that standard workers’ comp often cannot address. With temporary hires, rotating crews, and winter conditions, maritime employers liability becomes essential protection for vessel owners.

Agents who proactively review MEL needs can safeguard their clients from costly claims and reinforce their role as trusted advisors.

Contact Merrimac Marine to explore MEL solutions or speak with a specialist before year-end staffing changes take effect.

About Merrimac Marine Insurance

At Merrimac Marine, we are dedicated to providing insurance for the marine industry to protect your clients’ business and assets. For more information about our products and programs, contact our specialists today at (800) 681-1998.