Sailors’ Society has created three bespoke Peer-to-Peer Support Groups for seafarers affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The specialist WhatsApp groups build on Society’s existing Peer-to-Peer Support Groups run as part of its Wellness at Sea programme.
The groups aim to help seafarers to assist and support one another in this extraordinary time. Today around 14.5% of the world’s seafarers are Ukrainian or Russian, with Sailors’ Society chaplains supporting seafarers from all sides deeply affected by the ongoing war every day.
In addition, up to one in five officers are Ukrainian, meaning many crews will find themselves serving under officers concerned about their homeland and families. They too will be able to chat with others who find themselves in similar situations.
The support groups will also allow Ukrainian and Russian seafarers to speak to other crews from their own country in their own language, while a third group will be made up of seafarers from other nationalities.
To join one of these groups go to the welcoming portal at: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ims2jwNK2LXLPA8Q9XCVIS
Currently, thousands of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers are stuck in ports around the world as the war in Ukraine rages on and shipowners are having difficulties finding replacement crews to keep strained supply chains rolling.
In fact, an estimated 50,000 Russian and Ukrainian sailors are at sea or waiting at ports around the world to be replaced. This happens as there are no flights back home, and most cannot get paid as their bank accounts do not work or have come under sanctions.
What is more, the Wall Street Journal notes that the crew shortages come as dozens of ships remain stuck in ports around the world waiting to unload cargo on the back of labor shortages across the supply chain, including truck capacity and warehousing space.
