Are you confronted with a specific problem on your ship or with your working contract? If so, you should turn to the ITF inspector in your next port of call. Help can also be obtained from numerous seamen’s missions in Germany and around the world.

The “Seeberufsgenossenschaft” (Shipowners Liability Insurance Association) is the accident insurance for the German shipping industry. Employees on ships sailing under foreign flags can be insured there in very special, exceptional cases only. An important social security component is the “Seemannskasse” (seamen’s fund). It supplements the German social security system and was established by the “Seeberufsgenossenschaft“ in 1974; as of January 1st, 2009, it was integrated into the German Pension Scheme “Knappschaft-Bahn-See”. The “Seemannskasse” makes allowances for specific demands and conditions prevalent in shipping which otherwise would find no consideration in compulsory pension schemes. This is your direct link to the Seemannskasse’s Internet site.

The harbor police is responsible for proper and lawful operation within German harbors. Within the 12-nautical-mile-zone of German coastal waters, the German Coast Guard in Cuxhaven is responsible for prevention and control of damages. It unites the various public authorities in the North Sea (Customs, Federal Border Guard, Fishing Guard, Water and Shipping Administration) into a network in order to coordinate these duties more effectively.