Amid the the issue of seafarers’ lack of COVID-19 vaccination, Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) warned that success in making seafarers’ welfare a priority has been only partially successful.
According to HRAS, during the pandemic, seafarers have worked at sea long past their contracted time, testing their endurance to keep trade alive, to deliver food, personal protective equipment and now vaccines.
These are people who have made the welfare of others a priority. They have not just seen COVID as someone else’s problem, and many governments have also supported the wider community – keeping money coming in to families and businesses that are suffering.
However, around 200,000 seafarers continue to work beyond their contract terms. Despite the efforts of so many in the industry, success in making seafarers’ welfare a priority has been only partially successful.
As explained, the inaction of some charterers and many States continues despite the knowledge that the threat of widespread sickness and death will not be over for several years.
Some nations don’t anticipate widespread vaccination until 2024, and with the rise of new variants, it is unclear what the impact of the first round of vaccinations will be.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
Maritime industry leaders have acted with integrity and made repeated calls to prioritise the welfare of seafarers over financial concerns, while fully aware that there are legal and financial consequences that need to be accepted and dealt with.
Following the situation, Human Rights at Sea concluded:
So, we ask charterers that won’t allow crew changes, flag States that haven’t designated seafarers as key workers: Will self-interest or a spirit of community and shared responsibility prevail? Every day is a crossroads, a chance to put people and communities first and to accept the challenge of helping to care for our seafarers.