In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the crew change issue that has brought, the International maritime charity, Sailors’ Society noted that coronavirus marks the worst crisis seafarers have faced in its 200-year history.
According to the society, a significant number is turning to the charity for help since the pandemic began.
For the records, the charity has given out an average of 16 times more welfare grants to seafarers and their families every month since the crisis began, compared to last year. Many of these are as a direct result of seafarers being unable to work and suddenly plunged into poverty due to the pandemic.
At the same time, Sailors’ Society’s coronavirus helpline is also receiving around 150 calls from seafarers a month, many of whom are stranded at sea because of travel restrictions and are struggling with exhaustion and anxiety about their families and finances.
This is the worst crisis seafarers have faced since Sailors’ Society was founded more than 200 years ago. We are overwhelmed by the number of appeals for help and our crisis teams are having to prioritise the most desperate cases.
…Sara Baade, Sailors’ Society’s new CEO, stated.
