Seafarers are especially prone to rusty social skills after being away for too long Crew only had their colleagues day and night onboard. It is inevitable to be climatised to the workplace environment to the point of forgetting how to reintegrate into the community after signing off. However, being back (at home) need not be a daunting experience. Tips to ...
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced the repatriation of 600 i-Kiribati seafarers The ordeal of 600 stranded seafarers finally came to an end with the intervention of the ICS. The final six returned home on 9 May 2022, marking the end of a two-year repatriation effort led by a coalition of employers, unions and non-governmental organisation (NGO) working with ...
It used to be a highly sought-after benefit; it is now something the crew hesitates to utilise Despite being an entitlement, the fear of contracting COVID-19 onshore instead became a risk few seafarers are willing to take. Should the virus be detected onboard, the vessel will have trouble calling at the next port. Appeal for empathy Australia’s ABC News quoted ...
While vaccination rates have improved, crew change issues persist in some countries The latest Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator revealed improvements for seafarers despite being caught in the cocktail of vaccination conundrums – several variants and immunity efficacy. Significant improvements in vaccines May 2022’s Indicator revealed that the aggregate percentage of seafarers from the sample who have been vaccinated has ...
Vessels were reportedly advised to turn off their tracking devices for security reasons Ever since the conflict started, the people supporting the backbone of trade are collateral damage. It is fair to say seafarers are counting their days as they approach Ukrainian ports – experiencing the unspeakable anxiety onboard. Seafarer rescue efforts The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reported just ...
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index data revealed morale and mood onboard hit an all-time low Its findings for Q1 2022 saw rising tides of issues amongst crew onboard against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Strained relationships between crew of both nationalities were worrying. Estrangement compromising safety The index showed the overall happiness average plunged to 5.85 from 6.41 compared ...
Image credit: FIJI Sun Fiji announced that their new Fiji Seafarers Centre is almost ready to start serving seafarers, including present and ex-seafarers Seafarers can expect a new resting spot when stopping over the Republic of Fiji soon. The small maritime nation recognised the Institute of Maritime Officers Guild (IMOG Fiji) in 2020, and one of the requirements for the ...
The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans for the development of a new technology that reports iceberg locations Named after the ill-fated passenger ship Titanic, the DHS’ Project Titanic is developed by the agency’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The ultimate goal is to help the US Coast Guard improve maritime safety and navigation in the North ...
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), through the Embassy of Panama in Japan and the Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) signed for the first time a Bilateral Cooperation Agreement concerning the mutual recognition of training and certification in accordance with Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, ...
Asian countries, such as Singapore and the Philippines have seen a relaxation of pandemic restrictions for seafarers Following Singapore’s announcement in their changed stance on the pandemic measures and gradual opening up, the Philippines have also announced new measures of living with the pandemic. More specifically, the country’s Department of Transportation (DOTr) has taken steps to help seafarers’ lives and ...