The June 2022 video message from the AMWS Chairman, Mr David Parmeter
David's June 2022 Comments
Hello everyone, and welcome to this edition of the AMWS newsletter.
The International Maritime Organisation celebrated the 2022 day of the seafarer on 25th June. This year’s theme is ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’ and focuses on the changes that seafarers are seeing in their career paths and work environments.
This is an extremely relevant topic. Shipping is a dynamic industry and seafaring a constantly changing vocation. And it is not always for the better. For example the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in significant restrictions on the freedom of movement of ships crews, with travel interrupted and shore leave prohibited for extended periods. This had an obvious impact on morale, and as a result there has been considerable focus on the mental health and well being of seafarers. In this months newsletter there are two articles that address this issue. The first, describing the Happiness Index survey undertaken by the Mission to Seafarers globally, shows the index at the lowest level in eight years. For a lot of individuals, seafaring is no longer an enjoyable vocation and they are looking for alternative careers. The second is a report of the launch by the Sailors’ Society of a series of global wellness and mental health conferences to help maritime students navigate challenges around stress, diversity and crises. This is an excellent initiative which hopefully will result in more cadets staying at sea.
The global economy requires an ongoing supply of professional and motivated seafarers. The Day of the Seafarer is a timely reminder that the welfare of seafarers is a paramount consideration and emotional wellbeing is vitally important.
Also in this newsletter there are reports on the ongoing activities of your Society. I hope you enjoy this edition.
Hello everyone, and welcome to this edition of the AMWS newsletter.
The International Maritime Organisation celebrated the 2022 day of the seafarer on 25th June. This year’s theme is ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’ and focuses on the changes that seafarers are seeing in their career paths and work environments.
This is an extremely relevant topic. Shipping is a dynamic industry and seafaring a constantly changing vocation. And it is not always for the better. For example the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in significant restrictions on the freedom of movement of ships crews, with travel interrupted and shore leave prohibited for extended periods. This had an obvious impact on morale, and as a result there has been considerable focus on the mental health and well being of seafarers. In this months newsletter there are two articles that address this issue. The first, describing the Happiness Index survey undertaken by the Mission to Seafarers globally, shows the index at the lowest level in eight years. For a lot of individuals, seafaring is no longer an enjoyable vocation and they are looking for alternative careers. The second is a report of the launch by the Sailors’ Society of a series of global wellness and mental health conferences to help maritime students navigate challenges around stress, diversity and crises. This is an excellent initiative which hopefully will result in more cadets staying at sea.
The global economy requires an ongoing supply of professional and motivated seafarers. The Day of the Seafarer is a timely reminder that the welfare of seafarers is a paramount consideration and emotional wellbeing is vitally important.
Also in this newsletter there are reports on the ongoing activities of your Society. I hope you enjoy this edition.