The maritime industry faces a growing challenge of drug smuggling, with a 23% increase in global drug activity from 2011 to 2021. Traffickers are using innovative tactics, including hacking customs systems. Collaborative efforts like Operation TIN CAN and INTERPOL’s I-RAID aim to combat trafficking effectively, while the Port Security Project strengthens port security frameworks.
The charity Stella Maris highlights the growing loneliness and depression among Ukrainian sailors due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Port chaplains report distress among seafarers, especially regarding the fear of forced conscription upon returning home. Access to news online exacerbates anxiety, while long periods at sea impact sailors’ well-being.
Rizvanolli and her team study life at sea to create effective work schedules for seafarers. Factors like qualifications and voyage type are considered for companies like Carnival Cruise Line and Columbia Shipmanagement. Safety and employee satisfaction are prioritized, with a 24/7 plan and ongoing updates during voyages. Personnel Planning 2.0 ensures efficiency.
Video and pictures of a container ship flattening the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore quickly made headlines. The 9,962-teu Dali, involved in the tragic accident, and the wreckage of the bridge have become a common sight. Yet, the crew members on board the ship have remained largely silent since the incident.
Indian Maritime University is conducting the IMU-CET entrance exam for various courses in different campuses. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria before registering online. Exam centers are located in different districts of Kerala. Courses include Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Logistics, and more. Register online on the official website.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has revamped the survey for seafarers to provide feedback on their training experience. This initiative aims to enhance strengths, identify weaknesses, and ensure relevant skills for the future. Chief Examiner Ajit Jacob emphasizes the importance of hearing from cadets to maintain the UK’s reputation for producing skilled seafarers.
Seafarers are seeking certification in Ghana due to limitations imposed by NIMASA in Nigeria. The Co-founder of MOFN, Emmanuel Jeremiah, urges the agency to remove restrictions on OOW licenses. Nigerian seafarers face challenges securing foreign employment opportunities due to the lack of MoUs with top shipping nations. Ghana offers more advantageous training and employment conditions.
Learn how the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is addressing the unjust treatment of seafarers in response to maritime incidents and suspected crimes. Criminalization is a major issue affecting seafarers, with many being detained without fair treatment. The ITF has released a guide to educate and support seafarers facing legal challenges. Contact Nautilus for assistance during investigations.
Most marine casualties are caused by human error, as shown by insurers’ data. The allision of the towboat Susan K with the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge was a clear example of this. The captain admitted to becoming complacent after 200 trips on the same route, leading to the unfortunate accident.
The Australia Maritime Safety Authority has successfully convicted a ship’s master and shipping company for a ladder failure resulting in pilot injuries. AMSA emphasizes the importance of properly maintaining and rigging pilot ladders to prevent accidents. Neglecting ladder safety can have deadly consequences, as seen in recent incidents.
The crew members of the Singapore-flagged ship Dali, stranded after colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, were concerned about public perception. Despite being in good health, they kept quiet as they awaited the outcome of the ongoing investigation, unsure of how they were being portrayed in the world.
AMSA is launching a new concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) in collaboration with Tokyo and Indian Ocean MoUs, targeting seafarers’ employment conditions. Issues like wages, rest hours, and crewing levels are prevalent in MLC complaints. AMSA emphasizes the importance of respecting seafarers’ rights for a safe work environment. The CIC will run from September to November 2024.
Police are urging parents to monitor their children’s activities during the school Easter holiday after thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the Warsash Maritime Academy building. Five young people were found nearby and sent home, with police launching an investigation and vowing to identify and deal with offenders.
A container vessel collided with a key bridge in Baltimore, leaving 20 Indian crew members stranded onboard. The crew is reported to be healthy, with one minor injury treated and discharged. The US authorities are investigating the incident, while efforts are being made to support the crew emotionally and physically.
