Posted on: 22 June 2020
This year Seafarers UK’s annual campaign to raise awareness of seafarers will focus on the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the families of merchant seafarers, including those stranded on vessels around the world.
Government restrictions on disembarkation, inappropriate quarantine requirements and limited repatriation flights – coupled with the failure of some countries to even recognise seafarers as key workers – has led to hundreds of thousands of crew members being compelled to work for months past their contract end dates, with many others prevented from leaving their home nations to earn a living at sea.
Fatigue; isolation; no access to Seafarers Centres in ports or medical facilities ashore; infrequent communications with loved ones – all are taking their toll on the physical and mental health of seafarers. Many are at their lowest ebb. Some have taken their own lives and others are contemplating suicide. Thankfully many loud voices – including unions – are speaking up on their behalf. But we want to ensure that seafarers’ families are not overlooked at this time of crisis.
Support Seafarers UK campaign by taking these three steps:
1. Promote your organisation’s concern for the families of merchant seafarers by using the free social media ‘toolkit’* available on request from Seafarers UK
2. Share stories, ideally with photos or video, about the wide-ranging impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the families of merchant seafarers. We will publish the most emotive of these at www.seafarersweek.uk and actively promote that site
3. Send your press releases and other communications supporting calls for governments to recognise merchant seafarers as vital keyworkers who should be exempted from unnecessary restrictions that prevent them leaving/joining ships.
Get in touch with Seafarers UK if you have any other activity planned to coincide with Seafarers Awareness Week (6-12 July) that could be included in updates to journalists. Visit here for more information.
