A coalition of UK-based organisations concerned about seafarers’ welfare have come together to address abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence at sea.
The organisations – The Seafarers’ Charity, The Nautical Institute, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), Human Rights At Sea (HRAS), Safer Waves, the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA), the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP Maritime), Befrienders Worldwide and Tineke Zoet (a maritime wellbeing ambassador) – believe that their unified voice will send a powerful message that there is support for seafarers and seafarers do not, and should not, have to tolerate inappropriate behaviour and toxic leadership when working at sea.
Key actions the network aims to take:
- Promote effective joined-up working
- Avoid duplication
- Contribute to and amplify existing initiatives to create safe, positive working cultures for all seafarers
- Empower seafarers with education, awareness, support, and solutions which centre around their personal and psychological safety
- Increase understanding of the prevalence of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence in maritime, and to coordinate effective, preventative solutions to these issues.
As a network, the organisations will come together at regular intervals to share ideas and updates, identify opportunities for collaboration and support, identify gaps in services and resources, consult on important decisions, and work together on a joint, long-term, sector-wide campaign which raises awareness of the importance of the personal and psychological safety of seafarers.
I am saddened by seafarers’ reports of the issues they face while working at sea. But I am delighted to see so many organisations willing to come together to work on potential solutions to support the personal and psychological safety of seafarers.
… said Deborah Layde, Chief Executive at The Seafarers’ Charity
