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How COVID continues to affect the lives of seafarers. May 2022.
East of Shanghai, on Changxing Shipyard Island -- post-COVID lockdown, April/May 2022. Following a crew of merchant mariners as they go about their day-to-day lives, locked down in a shipyard. Follow Youtube Link at left Comment from a viewer "Thank you for filming and sharing this - I know it's an awful situation for you and the crew, but it gives us a window into some of the things mariners have been put through since the beginning of the pandemic. My husband was stuck out at sea for 9 months after being sent out for only 4 months, and restricted to ship due to those early lockdowns and restrictions in Pandemic Year One. Not sure anyone in a traditional office job could even comprehend being locked in their building for months on end with no word about when they'll be let out, let alone deal with intermittent food delivery, no water, limited electricity, and so on. The uncertainty of not knowing what's next or when you'll be able to move forward or go home is just the worst - no answers from anyone or for anyone. My heart goes out to you and the crew, as well as to the folks waiting for you at home!" |
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Human Rights Day, 10th December 2021 - Human Rights at Sea Report
In recognition of World Human Rights Day 2021, 10 December, Human Rights at Sea has issued the attached report, “Stamping on Seafarers’ Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” With a forward from Captain Ross Nicholls, President, Mission to Seafarers Brisbane, this independent review has been guided by a range of 40 publicly accessible reports, articles, and documents to create a compelling recount of the upheaval in the global shipping industry, and the consequential threats to seafarers’ rights during the early and current stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full report is attached below. 
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Pivoting from Crew Changes to Crew Vaccinations. Report by AMWS Councillor Conrad Saldanha, 23rd November 2021
Conrad has advised the following; "The situation with crew changes has evolved a lot since last meeting and is much less challenging now but rather than dwell on this I thought I’d rather report on the evolving crew vaccination situation. Although crew changes are still subject to cancelled flights, ever changing lockdowns and border restrictions and various vaccination requirements, they are happening and crewing agencies are finding ways via international hubs that facilitate flights through". etc Conrad's full report can be read in the file below 
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Statement from the AMWS Chairman, Mr David Parmeter, Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September 2021
Today, Friday 3 rd September is Merchant Navy Day. This is the day when all Australian’s are asked to remember the contribution made by our merchant seafarers in wartime and especially all those who lost their lives in the service of the nation. see the full statement below |
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Mission to Seafarers facilitates COVID 19 Vaccinations. Botany Bay, September 2021
Please contact MTS Australia on the following link for full details of this programme. http://www.missiontoseafarerssydney.org.au/home |
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Queensland to offer Covid-19 vaccinations for international seafarers. Brisbane, August 2021.
MSQ is working with Queensland Health to progress vaccination options for international seafarers visiting QLD ports. Vaccination of international seafarers is important for the health and safety of maritime crew who are critical to the continuity of shipping, supply chains and essential trade. Equally, it is important for the health and safety of Queensland's port workers and wider Queensland community, as a vaccinated person is less likely to contract and transmit COVID-19. MSQ is now working with industry to identify test case vessels to progress the trial; such vessels may include coastal runners, regular pacific island traders, those that frequent Queensland on a routine basis, and ships where crew may have already received their first dose of AstraZeneca (in acknowledgment that two doses of the COVID vaccine are needed to ensure the required efficacy). It is proposed that this trial will then gradually be extended as logistical processes are worked through and vaccine supply (and options) increases. Source: Courier Mail |
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Master's Mariner article: "In fact, seafarers have very few options". Wendy King. Published MTS Newsletter September 2021.
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Episode 165: Interview with Frank Coles, British American Entrepreneur and Maritime Lawyer. June 2021
Meet Frank Coles, formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the Wallem Group, and listen to his view about a fair future for seafarers. Frank speaks his mind about things that he believes need to change for seafarers to have a fair future. – a clear career path – getting paid – getting fed – getting to go home – allowed breaks to get some rest also when in port Frank is an outspoken advocate for seafarers. His full interview with the Shipping Podcast can be heard via the listening icon at left |
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Australian Mariners Welfare Society. 2nd July 2021.
COVID 19 AMWS Chairman Mr David Parmeter has recently written to the Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (D.I.T.R.D. & C), to support other like minded maritime welfare organisations in seeking the introduction of a vaccination programme for all seafarers. A copy of David's correspondence appears below. |
:The International Chamber of Shipping releases Vaccination Roadmap to quicken seafarer jab rollout: 13th May 2021
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As the US, Netherlands and other nations begin to roll out vaccines to all seafarers, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has today published a Vaccination Roadmap framework to help establish vaccination hubs dedicated to seafarers across the world, alongside other major maritime NGOs.To date, 16 states in the US have begun vaccination programmes for non-native crew delivering goods in their ports. Other European countries are set to follow suit in the coming weeks and months due to successful vaccinations programmes for their own population, including the Netherlands which will launch a vaccination programme for all seafarers, regardless of nationality, flying under the Dutch flag from mid-June.
To help governments and companies responsible for creating hubs, the 21-page document has information on vaccine eligibility, implementation, distribution, administration and legal issues. |
ABC Radio National. Background Briefing November 2020.
"450 days trapped on a cargo ship"
Posted March 2021
"450 days trapped on a cargo ship"
Posted March 2021
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IMO: The World Maritime Theme for 2021 is dedicated to seafarers, highlighting their central role in the future of shipping.
IMO has chosen to make 2021 a year of action for seafarers, who are facing unprecedented hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their vital role as key workers for global supply chains. The World Maritime Theme for 2021, "Seafarers: at the core of shipping's future" seeks to increase the visibility of seafarers by drawing attention to the invaluable role they play now and will continue to play in the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary demands on seafarers, with hundreds of thousands of men and women stranded on ships for months beyond their original contracts, unable to be repatriated due to national travel restrictions. A similar number of seafarers are unable to join ships and earn a living. This crew change crisis, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, is a humanitarian emergency that threatens the safety of shipping.
Launching the World Maritime theme on 16 February, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said more Governments must step up to end the crew change crisis.
"We all must do better to support our brave professionals who continue to deliver global trade. The dedication and professionalism of more than one and a half million seafarers worldwide deserve our great admiration and gratitude – but most importantly, immediate action," Mr Lim said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary demands on seafarers, with hundreds of thousands of men and women stranded on ships for months beyond their original contracts, unable to be repatriated due to national travel restrictions. A similar number of seafarers are unable to join ships and earn a living. This crew change crisis, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, is a humanitarian emergency that threatens the safety of shipping.
Launching the World Maritime theme on 16 February, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said more Governments must step up to end the crew change crisis.
"We all must do better to support our brave professionals who continue to deliver global trade. The dedication and professionalism of more than one and a half million seafarers worldwide deserve our great admiration and gratitude – but most importantly, immediate action," Mr Lim said.
The Australian Mariners Welfare Society supports the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.
Mr David Parmeter, Chair AMWS
January 2021
Mr David Parmeter, Chair AMWS
January 2021
