Tag: shore leave

Australian authorities detained the Liberian-registered bulk carrier 'Anna-Elisabeth' after crew onboard the vessel complained of insufficient food, bullying aboard the vessel and denial of shore leave. ITF received the complaints from onboard the ship berthed at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal on 25 March.

The Mission to Seafarers revealed a new centre for seafarers in Port Talbot, to increase its welfare service provision for seafarers calling at the port. The new centre received a £35,000 grant from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, and aims to offer respite care to seafarers who visit the port each year. The centre will be providing a place to relax, socialise, and connect with friends and family. 

Southampton-based charity Sailors’ Society held the official opening of a newly refurbished portacabin for seafarers, on 23 February. Funded by a grant from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, the cabin offers respite to seafarers unable to access city centre amenities due to limited shore leave and quick turnaround times.

An observational short documentary by the UK director, Eleanor Mortimer, depicts how a shore leave for a cargo-ship crew at the Felixstowe Seafarer Centre feels like. Due to visa restrictions and short turnarounds, many crews of international cargo ships stay in port after docking.

Douglas B. Stevenson, Esq., Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute Center for Seafarers’ Rights presented the findings of the 2018 Shore Leave Survey. The surveys are conducted for one week each year and provide an assessment of seafarers’ ability to go on shore leave in the US. 

The Indian government has taken no steps to allow seafarers to disembark at ten key Indian ports due to lack of immigration officers stationed there, noted India's Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents, urging the government to act on the issue.

The amendments to FAL Convention have entered into force globally from 1st January 2018,  to strengthen seafarers' rights to shore leave and to achieve the smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo and passengers. 

ITF joins US Coast Guard shore leave debate

The large majority of seafarers denied shore leave are denied it because they lack visas Shore leave significantly improves seafarers' health and the safe and efficient operation of a vessel.The Seamen's Church Institute's (SCI) Center for Seafarers' Rights collected data pertaining to seafarers' access to shore leave for the thirteenth year in a row as part of its annualSeafarer Shore Leave Survey, asking port welfare workers in 27 ports across the United States to monitor seafarers' shore leave on vessels they visited during the last week in May.Results show the large majority of seafarers denied shore leave are denied it because they lack visas.This year's survey was the first SCI has conducted since the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) came into force. The MLC, 2006 was in force in 37 countries during the survey week. Standard A1.4 Section 5(b) of the MLC, 2006 requires shipowners to pay for seafarers' visas.Furthermore, flag states must verify shipowners' compliance with the MLC, 2006 recruitment and placement requirements, which include Standard A1.4 Section 5(b), before issuing a Maritime Labour Certificate.Ships registered in countries that have ratified the MLC, 2006 must have a Maritime Labour Certificate before they can sail. The survey showed that ...