North P&I Club urges shipowners to consider the importance of internet access on their ships, to ensure they continue to attract, recruit and retain high quality crews. The issue of internet access, part of a campaign by North to help operators get the ‘right crew’, is detailed in the latest issue of the club’s loss prevention newsletter ‘Signals’.
According to a 2016 survey by The Sustainable Shipping Initiative, provision of internet connectivity on board is a key welfare issue, as it makes seafarers happier at sea. The Crew Connectivity 2015 survey report by Futurenautics Research also found 73% of seafarers say the level of on-board internet access influences which company they work for.
Head of loss prevention, Tony Baker, says: ‘the importance seafarers place on internet access, and how that affects their choice of employer, means shipowners should seriously consider whether they have good internet access on-board.’
North Club points out that the low speeds and high cost of on-board internet are still an issue. However, it is observed that satellite communications technology (coverage, reliability and speeds) becomes more advanced, making the cost of providing internet access at sea more affordable.
The club highlights the importance of investing in suitable satellite systems, which will bring to shipowners a competitive edge in the seafarer recruitment market. However, care must also be taken to ensure the security of ships’ systems as well as maintain healthy personal interactions between crew members.
Concluding, Baker notes that this increase in online communications rises new risks, as it brings together the cyber threats, that operators have to prevent from.
“Increased connectivity can also lead to less interaction between seafarers while on board, potentially leaving them feeling more isolated. A balance is needed between the seafarer’s connection with the outside world and their connection with their fellow crew members’ he added.
Please click below to read Signals – North’s loss prevention newsletter, issue 107:
