seafarer’s rights

Shipowners & Seafarers Rights in U.S. Coast Guard MARPOL Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice aggressively prosecutes shipowners and operators of foreign-flag vessels calling at U.S. ports for MARPOL violations. These prosecutions are often the result of an initial inspection and investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Despite this, most shipowners and seafarers aren’t aware of their rights and responsibilities in these inspections. To remedy this, Gard spoke to some experts in order to get insights on these inspections. Today we are going to highlight that...

https://mfame.guru/shipowners-seafarers-rights-in-u-s-coast-guard-marpol-investigation/

Seafarers’ Rights International Calls For Investigation Into Perfect Storm For Seafarers

Seafarers silhouette

The recent spate of grim casualties cannot simply be written off as bad luck, says Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI), the international pan-industry body researching maritime and seafarers’ law.

It points out that the failure to treat seafarers as keyworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic is having devastating effects on individuals, who are now at risk of being caught in a perfect storm of exhaustion from extended employment agreements, increasing numbers of accidents, maritime casualties,...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/seafarers-rights-international-calls-for-investigation-into-perfect-storm-for-seafarers/

Rights And Duties Of Seafarers Upon Criminalisation

seafarers' trust

The practice of charging masters and ships’ officers, as well as other crew members, with criminal offences have resulted in creating widespread attention in recent years, both within and beyond the shipping industry.

Concern has focused in particular on a number of “high- profile” harsh cases in the wake of pollution and similar high profile incidents.

The use of the term “criminalization” in this context is perhaps an emotive one, but it reflects a widespread concern across the shipping...

https://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/rights-and-duties-of-seafarers-upon-criminalisation/

EU proposes designation of specific ports for fast-track crew changes

The European Commission launched recommendations for all vessels concerning transit and disembarking passengers and crew, proposing that Member States should, in coordination among themselves, designate several ports in the Union for fast-track crew changes. 

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean stated that

The guidelines adopted today include sanitary advice, recommendations for crew changes, disembarking, and repatriation for seafarers and passengers. I am asking the member states...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-proposes-designation-of-specific-ports-for-fast-track-crew-changes/

ICS, ITF ask G20 for support of “unsung heroes of global trade”

The International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have issued a joint call on behalf of seafarers to governments to facilitate the essential movement of seafarers and marine personnel.

Specifically, as it has been already said, seafarers are experiencing many challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic facing repatriation and off-signing problems. In addition, ICS along with IAPH joined forces, in mid-March, calling on G20 leaders to act quickly to protect...

https://safety4sea.com/ics-itf-ask-g20-for-support-of-unsung-heroes-of-global-trade/

Emergency funding campaign launched for developing world seafarers

ISWAN announced launch of a charity crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for developing world seafarers and their families that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

All funds raised will go to UK-based crew welfare charity ISWAN, and dispersed through ISWAN’s Seafarers Emergency Fund (SEF), in order to support seafarers from the poorer regions of the world.

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought a real challenge for those seafarers, for instance:

  • Many are in lockdown with casual...

https://safety4sea.com/emergency-funding-campaign-launched-for-developing-world-seafarers/

Crew refuse to offload cargo in Bangladesh over fears of COVID-19

Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) is referring to the ongoing case of the MV Tomini Destiny, which is currently offshore Chittagong Port, and appears entrenched between parties with the Indian Master taking a resolute stand supported by his crew of 21 Indian seafarers.

The previous week, the ship’s Indian captain decided to invoke the Master’s Authority under the International Safety Management Code and applicable Safety Management System, refusing to offload his cargo at Chittagong Port for fear that...

https://safety4sea.com/crew-refuse-to-offload-cargo-in-bangladesh-over-fears-of-covid-19/

ILO: Seafarers should be treated with dignity and respect amid COVID-19

In light of the challenging situations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued a joint statement highlighting that seafarers should be exempted from travel restrictions and be treated as “key workers”.

Specifically, the joint statement launched by the Officers of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)  also called on ILO member States to do all that they can to facilitate the delivery of essential medical...

https://safety4sea.com/ilo-seafarers-should-be-treated-with-dignity-and-respect-amid-covid-19/

Bulker crew raises concerns about COVID-19 exposure

Human Rights at Sea has been given a formal letter dated 31 March 2020 from the Master of the Marshall Islands flagged vessel, the MV Tomini Destiny, signed by all crew members, raising serious concerns regarding their asserted hazardous offloading operations at Chittagong, Bangladesh, and a lack of COVID-19 screening of stevedores, and adequate protection for the crew.

The concerns first raised internally to the Owners and Charterers focused on the continuation of vessel offload operations...

https://safety4sea.com/bulker-crew-raises-concerns-about-covid-19-exposure/

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