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
Global shipping body addresses the health concerns of seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Reports of seafarers being denied medical evacuation or access to ports despite serious medical conditions. New guidance issued by ICS for shipowners and operators to deal with unwell seafarersUN bodies to deliver guidance to member states health ministry's today to ensure medical assistance
Stella Maris Survey: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Lives of Seafarers
by Fr. Bruno Ciceri, cs Since the declaration of the pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was clear that the lives of seafarers, fishers and their families would be impacted significantly. Thanks to the stable work and a good
Thousands of seafarers are stranded aboard ships, with no end to their shift in sight
Image: A lonely sight. Rinson Chory/Unsplash, FAL by Dr. Helen Devereux, Researcher in Seafarer health and safety, Solent Unviersity. Originally published May 4 in The Conversation. At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, there was much attention on the plight of cruise tourists. Governments
Stevedores, Longshoremen and Dockers
(Image: Longshoremen on a New York dock loading barrels of corn syrup onto a barge on the Hudson. Photograph by Lewis Hine. c. 1912 [Public Domain]) by Rev. David Reid MA AFNI Rose George the British author of Ninety Per Cent of Everything (Henry Holt,