Seafarers adrift in currents of virus' shadow

Increasing depression

"It's difficult to get accurate statistics because of the global, disjointed nature of the shipping industry, but we're receiving reports of increasing depression, anxiety and a rise in the number of suicides on board," she said.

Roger Harris, executive director of the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, told shipping journal Lloyd's List in a Feb 22 report that the number of reported suicides and instances of seafarers calling the network about suicidal thoughts, had "roughly doubled" from about 12 in a normal year to 25 since March 2020. But because there is no hard data, "no one really knows the extent of the problem".

Although the figures are constantly changing as restrictions are imposed or lifted in different countries, throughout the pandemic there have been up to 400,000 seafarers stranded aboard ships, many well past the end of their contracts, according to the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, the United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping.

According to the IMO, many of these seafarers are working 10 or 12 hours a day, every day, some for as long as 17 months.

At the same time, a similar number are stuck at home, unable to physically get to a ship to do their jobs.

Many seafarers are contract workers who only get paid when they are at sea, making this a financially devastating situation for them and causing a dramatic rise in the number of people applying for emergency welfare grants because they're unable to pay their bills.

Many seafarers have felt let down and forgotten by their governments, and that their sacrifices have been unappreciated by the average consumer.

Ben Bailey, director of advocacy and regional engagement with the UK-based maritime group Mission to Seafarers said the pandemic had created a major humanitarian crisis for seafarers.

"While at sea, in spite of the industry's continued efforts, seafarers have had no choice but to work extended contracts due to strict border restrictions across the globe, with some in their eighteenth month at sea," he said.

"Furthermore, crews have been unable to access shore leave while moored in port and have had minimal contact with their families as a result of the limited facilities on board.

"Crews have spoken to our teams to express their frustration as well as seek advice and support. For some, the situation has been so intense they have taken their own lives."

Bailey said that despite talks of repatriation being sped up and that continued calls to designate seafarers as key workers really picked up last year, new coronavirus variants have halted the potential progress which could have been made.

"Governments need to use their influence to bring an end to the international crisis threatening global shipping and seafarers' health and well-being. They must be given priority access to vaccines to ensure global trade can continue and they must be allowed to go home to their families, as everyone deserves to do," he said.

"Governments have completely failed seafarers, and in doing so they have put the world's critical supply chains in tremendous danger by placing too much pressure on a tired, fatigued workforce who need to get home and rest," said David Heindel, chair of the International Transport Workers' Federation Seafarers Section.

"We are calling on governments, particularly those with strong vaccine rollout programs, to be leaders in resolving the crew change crisis," he said.

Port states can become crew change hubs. They can bring in 'green lanes' to get international seafarers to and from ships in ports, and exempt seafarers from travel, transit and border restrictions, he added.

Heindel said the situation in India, where the pandemic has killed thousands and shows no sign of slowing down, "is tragic and desperate" for seafarers and their families on shore.

"But it's also very hard for Indian seafarers still working on ships and unable to get home to comfort their loved ones during this challenging time," he said.

"Undoubtedly the second wave ravaging India's health system and its people will have a significant impact on the crew change crisis, as one in eight of the world's seafarers are Indian nationals. Right now, they cannot leave or enter their own country.

"National-level COVID outbreaks like the one in India right now will continue to happen until the whole world has this virus under control, worsening the crew change crisis and risking essential supply chains. No one is safe until we are all safe."

Baade of Sailors' Society said shipping companies have a responsibility to their employees. The international maritime charity has "worked alongside many companies which are taking this responsibility seriously".

"Sadly, there are also many companies which aren't as supportive of their crews' welfare and in those cases, seafarers will often turn to us directly through our port chaplains or helplines for practical help or mental support," she said.

"No matter how good an employer is, some of the conditions seafarers have faced during the pandemic are outside the control of shipping companies-such as national restrictions on movement or access to vaccines for seafarers."

Heindel said the best way to protect seafarers at home, working on ships, and in ports, is to vaccinate everyone.

"That's why the network of inspectors and our affiliated unions have been assisting visiting seafarers to receive inoculations in ports all over the world, including in the United States," he said.

"We want countries that rely on maritime trade, such as the US,Australia, the UK, and China, to become 'vaccination hubs' for visiting seafarers.

"Let's cooperate globally to get the 2 million international seafarers vaccinated, so that we can all be confident about a return to normal crew changes, shore leave, and safe ships."