The grounding of the Manahau barge in Westport sparked concerns over potential disaster, with crew members unable to speak with Union representatives. Maritime Union of New Zealand Secretary Carl Findlay highlighted the risks, calling for intervention to uphold crew rights. The vessel’s seaworthiness and operator’s actions were criticized, emphasizing the need for New Zealand-owned ships.
The St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association, along with the French Embassy and Blue Life Yacht Charters, are offering local youth training and work experience in the yacht charter industry. This program aims to prepare them for careers in this growing sector, with training taking place in Bequia over 8 weekends between October 2024 and May 2025.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch report revealed that a crewmember’s death on the Pelican of London was caused by heavy drinking and a poorly-rigged gangway. The relief cook fell into the water after consuming alcohol, highlighting safety gaps in rigging and emergency procedures. The incident prompted changes in policies to prevent future tragedies at sea.
The GLOBAL Maritime Forum has released a report on seafarer wellbeing, stressing the need for better working conditions to attract new workers. The findings highlight areas like abuse prevention and work-life balance improvements. With concerns rising over seafarer welfare and challenges they face, the industry must take action to protect global trade.
A study by the UK’s MAIB reveals that 40% of man-overboard incidents on merchant ships end in fatalities, with over 1,000 people falling overboard yearly. Sam Mayall, founder of Zelim, developed Guardian, an unmanned/manned rescue vessel to address this issue. With rapid deployment and advanced technology, Guardian aims to increase chances of rescue in harsh maritime conditions.
Oman has introduced a free 10-day visit visa for tourists and cruise ship crew members to boost tourism. The initiative aims to attract more visitors and stimulate the tourism industry. Tourists can also apply for a one-month visa. This move is part of Oman’s efforts to make the country more accessible and promote its cultural and natural attractions.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is implementing training programs for women in ASEAN and Pacific regions to promote gender diversity in maritime careers. These initiatives focus on digitalization and environmental competencies, providing networking opportunities and fellowships. By collaborating with regional Women in Maritime Associations, the programs aim to empower women and enhance leadership skills in the seafaring community.
The Maritime Industry Authority of Philippines conducted a review of draft proposals to update the STCW Convention for current and future maritime challenges. In a session called “Usapang STCW,” stakeholders provided feedback on proposed revisions. Key topics discussed included digitalization, simulator training, seafarers’ welfare, and harmonization measures for regulation implementation.
The World Maritime University’s study reveals that seafarers endure long working hours and lack adequate rest, leading to significant fatigue levels. “Quantifying an inconvenient truth” report shows that only 3.3% of seafarers meet the global average of 43 weekly working hours. Aligning maritime working hours with international labor standards is crucial to protect seafarers’ well-being.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is cracking down on ship owners who force Filipino seafarers to sail through dangerous waters like the Gulf of Aden amidst Houthi attacks. DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac stressed the importance of respecting seafarers’ right to refuse boarding in high-risk areas near Yemen, with sanctions for non-compliance.
A recent report by the Diversity@Sea pilot initiative highlights the pressing need for the global shipping industry to enhance working conditions for seafarers. Shocking statistics reveal high rates of abuse and harassment at sea, with recommendations for zero tolerance policies, improved contracts, and better support systems for seafarers with family responsibilities.
The Maritime Professional Council of the United Kingdom (MPC) and InterManager are deeply concerned about the high number of deaths in enclosed spaces in the shipping industry. With 31 known deaths in 2023 alone, calls for industry-wide collaboration for safety improvements have been made. A pan-maritime industry group has been formed to address this issue.
Turkish authorities have confirmed the safety of the crew of a Turkish-owned cargo ship after a collision with a bulker off the coast of Iran. The crew was rescued from a life raft, with no injuries reported. Prompt rescue efforts were coordinated to ensure the safety of the crew and prevent further damage to the vessels.
On July 12, 2024, the crew of the fishing vessel “Kingfisher” faced a dangerous situation when one of their sailors was pulled overboard while setting traps. Thanks to his personal flotation device and the quick response of his colleagues, the sailor was successfully rescued. This incident emphasizes the importance of safety and preparedness at sea.
The first group of 14 Filipino crew members from the SW Northwind Vessel 1 safely returned to the Philippines with OWWA’s assistance after multiple attacks by Houthi rebels. Financial aid, food, and transportation allowances were provided. 99 OFWs from Kuwait and Lebanon were also repatriated, emphasizing the challenges faced by Filipino workers in conflict zones.
