seafarers problems

Watch: Industry Called Upon To Step Up Care Of Seafarers’ Mental Health During Pandemic

Seafarer wearing PPE kit during COVID 19 pandemic onboard

Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurers American Club and Eagle Ocean Marine issue advice on key action points that can immediately make a difference in a video log entitled ‘Seafarer Mental Wellness – Five Things the Industry Can Do Now’.

Continuing their commitment to supporting seafarers and ship owners in the challenging times precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, American Club and Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM) has made available key advice on maintaining seafarers’ mental health via a video log...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/video-industry-called-upon-to-step-up-care-of-seafarers-mental-health-during-pandemic/

Hong Kong Takes Major Step Forward By Allowing Unrestricted Crew Changes

Coronavirus disease 2019 – IMO urges no unnecessary delays to ships

Hong Kong has taken a major step forward by making the decision to allow unrestricted crew changes for seafarers.

After several efforts, the Hong Kong Shipowner’s Association has been successful in convincing the government to allow crew change.

“The Honourable Chief Secretary has exercised his powers to approve the exemption of crew members of goods vessels, including those without cargo operations, from compulsory quarantine under Cap. 599E to undergo crew changes in Hong Kong,” HKSOA said.

Image...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/hong-kong-takes-major-step-forward-by-allowing-unrestricted-crew-change/

Mission To Seafarers Supports Philippine Government In Repatriation Of Seafarers

The Mission To Seafarers Supports Philippine Government In Repatriation Of Seafarers

The Mission to Seafarers is supporting the Government of the Philippines with the transfer of seafarers, who have completed their quarantine, back home to their local communities, during Manila lockdown.

With the city of Manila adhering to curfews, checkpoints and 14-day mandatory quarantine, seafarers are left in isolation, without transport options to their local villages and paying for rented dormitories. Additionally, many seafarers are unable to disembark vessels, with 18 cruise ships and...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/mission-to-seafarers-supports-philippine-government-in-repatriation-of-seafarers/

To Free Seafarers From COVID-19 Lockdown, Unions Set Out A 12-Step Solution For Governments

New IMO department_headquarters

To assist governments to put in place coordinated procedures to facilitate the safe movement of seafarers, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued a 12-step plan to 174 member states, providing them with a roadmap to free seafarers from their COVID-19 lockdown and allow appropriate exemptions for them to join or leave ships.

The 55-page roadmap has been advanced by a broad coalition of seafarer unions, and international shipping industry associations, with input from airline...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/to-free-seafarers-from-covid-19-lockdown-unions-set-out-a-12-step-solution-for-governments/

Seafarers Proud Of Their Work But Feel Unsupported During COVID-19 Pandemic – Report

Seafarers happiness index

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published by The Mission to Seafarers, has revealed real insight into the lives of seafarers during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The report has revealed that seafarer happiness is lower, with clear concerns about current safety and welfare provision for those serving at sea. Seafarers are urgently calling for improved connectivity between shore and sea and the need for greater support across the industry during this unprecedented time.

The index,...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/seafarers-proud-of-their-work-but-feel-unsupported-during-covid-19-pandemic-report/

COVID-19: Challenges Faced By Seafarers And Climate Change Highlighted During IMO Virtual Meeting

IMO Virtual Meeting

The challenges faced by seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to keep on track with IMO’s work to combat climate change were two key issues highlighted during a virtual meeting organized by IMO (23 April), to brief permanent representatives and liaison officers from 78 IMO Member States and one Associate Member.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim thanked Member States for detailing their arrangements to address the fallout of the pandemic, in particular concerning extending...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/covid-19-challenges-faced-by-seafarers-and-climate-change-highlighted-during-imo-virtual-meeting/

Protect Seafarers, Keep Trade By Sea Flowing; IMO Releases Joint Statement On Medical Certifications

Coronavirus disease 2019 – IMO urges no unnecessary delays to ships

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have urged Governments to facilitate trade by ship and allow crew movements during the coronavirus pandemic, while protecting seafarers to ensure they can continue to deliver vital goods, including medical supplies and food.

The joint statement sets out requirements and recommendations, including provisions for medical care and extensions of medical certificates of...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/protect-seafarers-keep-trade-by-sea-flowing-imo-releases-joint-statement-on-medical-certifications/

Fatigue Guidelines – Managing And Reducing Risk Of Fatigue At Sea

seafarer fatigue

Fatigue can have serious consequences for the safety and health of seafarers, operational safety and the marine environment.

The new guidelines are based on the International Maritime Organization Guidelines on Fatigue (MSC.1/Circ. 1598.) and are aimed at regulated Australian and foreign-flagged vessels.

The fatigue guidelines provide information on the causes and consequences of fatigue, and the risks it poses to the safety and health of seafarers, operational safety, security and protection of...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/fatigue-guidelines-managing-and-reducing-risk-of-fatigue-at-sea/

Bullying And Harassment At Sea: Clear And Present Threat To Seafarers

Bullying And Harassment At Sea A Clear And Present Threat To Seafarers

Human Rights at Sea publishes a redacted example of testimony and background facts from a recent case highlighted to the charity and other welfare entities concerning bullying and harassment towards an experienced Indian Chief Engineer by a Turkish Master on the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel. [NB: It should be noted that the nationalities involved do not themselves exacerbate the core issue of bullying and harassment].

Under the circumstances, the Chief Engineer was forced to leave the vessel...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/bullying-and-harassment-at-sea-clear-and-present-threat-to-seafarers/

Mental Stress Levels At Sea Dangerously High; 20% Of Seafarers Contemplated Suicide Or Self Harm

Seafarer mental health

A wide-ranging study by Yale University – commissioned by the ITF Seafarers Trust – has found dangerously high levels of mental stress among seafarers, and recommended how it can be reduced.

The study spoke to 1,572 seafarers representing serving seafarers of different ranks across the world, on a variety of vessels with different flags. It found that within two weeks prior to being surveyed:

  • 20 percent had contemplated suicide or self-harm
  • 25 percent had suffered depression
  • 17 percent had...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/mental-stress-levels-at-sea-dangerously-high-20-of-seafarers-contemplated-suicide-or-self-harm/

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