A welfare service for seafarers

Over the years the Seafarer’s life has changed dramatically, not least because shipping has become increasingly international. Today, different nationalities from all over the world have to work together; pressures relating to efficiency and fast turn around increase daily. The seafaring profession is one of the most challenging in the world, both physically and mentally, such that seafarers have to be 100% fit to fulfil their duties.

Seafarers need a sound and healthy lifestyle, on board and ashore to achieve and maintain the levels of fitness required to meet these physical and mental challenges. Land based workers take for granted (and often see as a fundamental human right) basic elements such as contact with family and friends, video and cinema, relaxed reading, news from home, shopping and recreational opportunities including sport and exercise. However, these opportunities are rarely available to seafarers during their daily routine at sea, and pressures on turn around times in port make these opportunities increasingly difficult whilst alongside.

Arranging sport for seafarers represents an enormous challenge in the modern maritime environment, typified by internationalisation, minimum manning of ships, shorter turnarounds and multi- national crews. The ICSW has met this challenge through a four year International Sport for Seafarers (ISS) development programme, which has seen sports activity for seafarers restored to the level achieved 20 years ago.

The Seafarers’ Health Information Programme (SHIP) complements the sports programme by providing health information on 7 lifestyle related issues affecting the well being of seafarers, including Food Safety, Safe Travel, Healthy Food, Malaria, Overweight, HIV/AIDS & STD and Fit Onboard.

There is no doubt that sound welfare services are one of the key factors that will lead to safer shipping world-wide. If a crew on board ship does not have the right working and living conditions, there is a very real possibility that the ship could be operated in an unsafe and potentially dangerous manner.

Despite major improvements in technology, maritime accidents and disasters continue to occur with monotonous regularity, leading to recognition of the need to care for the ‘Human Element’, a concept endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation. Whilst the need for profitable shipping is fully acknowledged, this profitability should not take its toll from the human beings on board.

Without a happy and fit crew, existing in decent working and living conditions, the shipping industry will be unable to meet its requirement for safer ships operating in clean waters.

For further information go to:

ISWAN: Seafarers' Health Information Programme (SHIP)