The International Seafarers’ Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) has experienced a huge increase in the number of mariners seeking help.
The organisation, which offers a 24/7 helpline called SeafarerHelp, assisted 11,228 seafarers last year — the most ever, and well up on the previous year’s 9,786.
“It was a difficult year for the shipping industry, which by definition means it was also a difficult year for many seafarers,” chairman Per Gullestrup said. “The reality is that when the maritime industry needs to make cost savings, seafarers are often negatively affected.”
Around 4,000 different issues were raised by callers last year. By far the most dominant issues related to financial problems faced by owners in the market downturn.
Seafarers seeking employment represented 18% of calls to SeafarerHelp; 16% involved non-payment of wages; and 10% were from people seeking help with repatriation after being abandoned because of the owner’s financial distress.
“The number of seafarers seeking employment has increased significantly in the last three years and is a direct indication of the current economic situation in the maritime industry,” ISWAN said.
“Wages not being paid remains steady as the main specific problem encountered by seafarers and it is again a reflection of the difficult times the industry is going through.”
Other issues include poor living conditions, abuse and bullying, and health problems. The largest number of calls were received from able bodied seamen (ABs), the lowest rank of seafarer on a ship.
The network is funded by the TK Foundation, the International Transport Workers’ Federation, Seafarers’ Trust, Seafarers UK and Trinity House.
