crew change

150,000 seafarers trapped at sea

150,000 seafarers are currently trapped at sea owing to overly-restrictive COVID-19 regulations. That’s a 50% increase on just a few weeks ago.

A population of seafarers about the size of Cairns or Darwin is trapped at sea by COVID-19 regulations, new research has revealed.

About 150,000 seafarers will need a crew change by May 15, according to data compiled by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Maritime Employer’s Council.

That’s a 50 per cent increase from the 100,000...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/150000-seafarers-trapped-at-sea/

Crew Change Response Starts After IMO Prodding!

China takes measures to facilitate crew change in a safe manner, responding to IMO guidance and ICS & ITF joint calls to facilitate the essential movement of seafarers and marine personnel, says a press release published by Huatai Marine.

Call on behalf of seafarers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, crew change has become one of the greatest challenges to ship operators. 

IMO guidance

IMO has issued its circular letter on 27 March, 2020 to recommend governments to grant professional seafarers and...

http://mfame.guru/crew-change-response-starts-after-imo-prodding/

134 Rasmus Blomqvist, Chief Officer, Mont Ventoux, Marseille, France – Rades, Tunisia

Seafarers are the unsung heroes of global trade.

Episode 134 – in spite of the Coronavirus.

This episode is recorded online, so the sound quality is not as exceptionally good as usual. On the other hand, you get to listen to a young Master Mariner who is now stuck on his vessels since the pandemic is causing trouble with crew change. No one can leave the ship and no one can come on board, the entire ship is a quarantine. How does it feel? What do you do? What are you longing for the most and how...

https://shippingpodcast.com/134-rasmus-blomqvist-chief-officer-mont-ventoux-marseille-france-rades-tunisia/

Singapore Eases Up on Crew Change Restrictions for Cargo Ships

  • MPA Singapore has launched a circular providing circumstances where crew will need to disembark or embark the ship.
  • Singapore has adopted many precautionary measures including thermal screening, disinfection of ships and safe distancing.
  • Due to a recent heightened risk of imported cases, Singapore introduced a slate of measures on short term visitors entering or transiting in Singapore, suspending crew change.
  • Nevertheless MPA understands that there would be special circumstances where crew...

http://mfame.guru/singapore-eases-up-on-crew-change-restrictions-for-cargo-ships/

Pandemic as viewed from the water: mariners speak out

Coast Guard cadets Ben Morseth and Mason Totri (center) stand with John Belcher, captain of Canal Barge Company's Lainey Jones in 2015. Canal Barge Company photo.

Less navigation traffic. Worrying about loved ones at home. Temperature checks. Praying to stay healthy. Impossible to social distance. Lots of hand washing. Access to vessels restricted.

These are some of the concerns and observations posted by mariners on WorkBoat.com and Facebook over the past few days after we asked what life was like for mariners since the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic started to spread across the U.S.

Many said that their work continues as usual, although they are...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/pandemic-as-viewed-from-the-water-mariners-speak-out/

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