Article 19

Each Member State shall ensure that fishermen on a fishing vessel that flies its flag or is registered under its plenary jurisdiction and that enters a foreign port are entitled to repatriation in the event that the fisherman's work agreement has expired or has been terminated for justified reasons by one or more of the parties to that agreement, or the fisherman is no longer able to carry out the duties required under the fisherman's work agreement or cannot be expected to carry them out in the specific circumstances. This also applies to fishermen from that vessel who are transferred for the same reasons from the vessel to the foreign port.

The cost of the repatriation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be borne by the fishing vessel owner, except where the fisherman has been found, in accordance with national laws, regulations or other measures, to be in serious default of his or her obligations under the fisherman's work agreement.

Member States shall prescribe, by means of laws, regulations or other measures, the precise circumstances entitling a fisherman covered by paragraph 1 of this Article to repatriation, the maximum duration of service periods on board following which a fisherman is entitled to repatriation, and the destinations to which fishermen may be repatriated.

If a fishing vessel owner fails to provide for the repatriation referred to in this Article, the Member State whose flag the vessel flies shall arrange for the repatriation of the fisherman concerned and shall be entitled to recover the cost from the fishing vessel owner.

National laws and regulations shall not prejudice any right of the fishing vessel owner to recover the cost of repatriation under third party contractual agreements.