Tag: maritime health

Following the COVID-19 outbreak onboard the Minerva Oceania tanker, Belgium's Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK) is investigating the causes.

IMO remains very concerned about the many countries where restrictions are still in place for seafarers. For this reason, it published a FAQ on crew changes and repatriation of seafarers.

ECSA published a video showcasing maritime workers from across the industry from across Europe, who explain their lives in the past few months in keeping the supply chains running and why every shipment counts.

In a digital meeting, ECSA and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) called on EU Ministers for Health, to assist in the implementation of the IMO protocols to ensure safe ship crew changes in the EU Member States’ ports without further delay.

A recent survey conducted by global maritime charity Stella Maris showed that such financial worries have had a profound impact on seafarers, with 69% saying that Covid-19 has impacted them financially “a lot” or “very much”.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to crew change restrictions and challenges for the seafarers, resulting to immense stress. Thus, Christopher L. Hall – Managing Director (Hong Kong), SCB Management Consulting Services, Ltd. and Business Development Director (Asia) – offers five things that the industry can do now to help seafarers cope with feelings of anxiety and/or depression.

The type of work conducted on board and the many confined spaces may lead to head injuries, among other hazards. In fact, head injuries is one of the common injuries for crew members while on duty due to failure to use safety equipment (helmets); inappropriate or damaged PPE; slip and fall accidents; accidents involving cranes and cargo; and improperly stored equipment.

Gard is seeing significant number of cases where the seafarer who was declared fit for the contractual duration under medication, reports sick because of either a lack of medication or simply not being able to manage his or her medication routine.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) reported of its first COVID-19 case inside its training center at Cape May, the service's only entry point for enlisted personnel.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for urgent and coordinated action to release the 150,000 to 200,000 seafarers trapped on board ships around the world due to measures to contain the COVID-19 virus.