Emeritus Professor Helen Sampson, a former director at Cardiff University’s Seafarers’ International Research Centre, has been honored with The Maritime Foundation Award for Best Book at the Maritime Media Awards for her influential work, Sea-Time: An Ethnographic Adventure. This book delves into the challenging realities faced by seafarers in the global shipping industry, highlighting issues such as poor working conditions, extended periods away from home, and a diminishing sense of autonomy aboard vessels.
Sampson’s research reveals significant structural changes in the shipping sector, including the consolidation of family-owned businesses through mergers, which have profoundly impacted life at sea. Many seafarers continue to endure these difficult circumstances, driven by the necessity to support their families. Alarmingly, the working conditions for these individuals have reportedly deteriorated in recent years, despite the expansion of global shipping.
Having dedicated over two decades to studying the lives of seafarers, Professor Sampson’s findings underscore the fear of job loss that often prevents crew members from voicing concerns about their working environments. With an estimated 1.5 million people employed at sea at any given time, many work under precarious contracts, making it even more critical to address the issues they face.
Following the awards ceremony, Richard Clayton, Chair of the Maritime Foundation, emphasized the importance of recognizing both excellence and pressing issues within the maritime sector. Professor Sampson dedicated her award to the seafarers who shared their experiences, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for meaningful improvements in their working conditions.
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