Stranded at sea: the humanitarian crisis that’s left 400,000 seafarers stuck on cargo ships
by Christiaan De Beukelaer, The Conversation It has been rightly described as a humanitarian crisis and a modern form of forced labour. In the early months of 2020, stranded cruise ships became a stark symbol of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Now it is seafarers
Will Fundraising Be Even More Difficult? A Vantage Point for 2021
A collection of chaplains and ministry directors talk frankly about what may be ahead. Will fundraising be as difficult as 2020? It will be different. Reverend Philip Vandercook, Executive Director of Global Maritime Ministries in New Orleans, steps back when responding. His
The Gangway: umbilical from ship to shore
By Chaplain David Reid MA AFNI Ship gangway design has not materially changed in the past 50 years. However, ships have changed substantially in terms of size, manning and function – the humble ship’s gangway or accommodation ladder, as it is
The reality of life for seafarers like those crewing the ‘hijacked’ tanker Nave Andromeda
by Dr. Helen Devereux - Researcher in Seafarer Health and Safety, Solent University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons License. Read the original article. The suspected hijacking of the oil tanker Nave Andromeda off the coast of
Seafarers’ Ministry and COVID-19 Worldwide Survey Report
by Kevin Walker, NAMMA In July and early August of this year, the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) surveyed its members about how COVID-19 had affected seafarers’ welfare in their areas, what kinds of services they were offering them, what approach
Joint statement from UN agencies on crew change crisis
On September 10, eight United Nations Agencies joined together to issue a joint statement about the "humanitarian crisis" in maritime shipping. The joint statement calls on "all Governments to immediately recognize seafarers as key workers, and to take swift
Helplines available for seafarers’ well-being
The COVID-19 mental health challenge The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased concern for the mental well-being of seafarers. Problems include lack of shore leave and inability to change crews. Many voices in the maritime industry and seafarers’ welfare have
Two Seafarers’ Centers Damaged by Hurricane Laura
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 hurricane, left significant damage at the Stella Maris Seafarer’s Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, after it made landfall on the Texas-Louisiana border last Thursday. “Half of our roof was lost,” said Deacon Patrick Lapoint, director of
Beirut’s devastating port explosion echoes the 1917 Halifax Harbour blast
By Jack L. Rozdilsky, York University - The Conversation As the scope of the Aug. 4 explosion at the port of Beirut becomes clear, the tolls of the loss of life, injuries, homelessness and property damage are staggering. In the immediate chaos of
Long Live Seamanship! (Learning lessons from the Boeing 737 Max)
Photo: An able-bodied seaman climbs a kingpost to perform maintenance aboard a general cargo ship. Randy C. Bunney, Great Circle Photography [CC BY-SA 2.5] by Rev. David Reid MA AFNI An article written by William Langewiesche for the New York Times recently caught my