A new animation video by Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC), Cardiff University, aims to highlight the consequences of poor accommodation for seafarers and for the recruitment and retention of high quality personnel in the cargo sector.
Through the story of Freddie the engine cadet’s first experience of a vessel, this animation brings SIRC findings on the design of shipboard accommodation to life. The animation complements the SIRC recommended standard of accommodation for seafarers working on board cargo vessels.
The SIRC recommended standard of vessel accommodation has been produced following the conduct of two large-scale pieces of research involving the completion of more than 3,000 interviewer-administered questionnaires with seafarers in 2011 and 2016.
The research findings were followed up with visits to 35 ships to examine current design/furnishings and six shipyards (in China, South Korea and Japan) to consider barriers to change.
They were also discussed with a specialist industry advisory group which kindly supported the development work for a period of two years.
The following problems, which were raised by seafarers in the research, are addressed in these recommendations for improved standards of shipboard accommodation:
- Inadequate storage space
- Insufficient control of light and temperature in cabins
- Inadequate provisions for recreation
- Noise and vibration disturbance in cabins
