SAFETY FIRST!
Safety Bulletin
Message from the DPA Dear seafarers, This is my first message to you under my new job title although it seems to me nothing has really changed in my feelings of commitment and responsibility towards you and our organization’s Safety Culture. What is very different, though, at the time I am writing this message to you are the difficulties we are all facing during this strange COVID-19 era. In my opinion, the most unusual and serious side effect caused by this unprecedented crisis for the shipping industry has been the fact that so many seafarers onboard vessels worldwide have completed their tour of duty, but have not been able to return home. As travel restrictions hit global economies, trade has continued thanks mostly to 1.2 million seafarers on board ships across the world. This commitment to keeping supplies of food, fuel, goods and vital medical supplies has enabled nations to focus on how to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, these same nations could not allow crews to safely rotate on and off ships and return home to their countries.
result in a reduced ability to safely perform their duties due to increasing fatigue. Soon, that became a common realization. After 2 months of worldwide lockdown, the UN Secretary General was urged by global industrial and shipping leaders to persuade the 193 member states to act urgently so as to avoid a “humanitarian crisis” involving over 200,000 seafarers working on vessels across the globe who were unable to be relieved. Finally, the time came for governments to gradually open their borders (and their hearts), to the world’s seafarers. More than 80% of global trade by volume is moved by maritime transport. As such, keeping the global economy alive depends on the seafarers who operate the world’s merchant fleet. For this reason, people ashore should not neglect to recognize the sacrifice made by seafarers for them. Hopefully, by the time this new issue of Wavelength reaches our vessels, this disruption of our normality will be well on the way to becoming just a memory of an unpleasant situation never to return.
Since the beginning of the crisis, the well-being and safety of our seafarers has been our number one priority. At first, the fact that seafarers could not travel in order to avoid contamination seemed the safer option for them. This collage of photos from our fleet vessels shows exactly that!
Personally, I wish to thank you for your patience, courage and strength during these trying times, and for continuing to prove that seafaring is a superhero ability!
However, as time passed what worried me the most were the adverse effects on the seafarers’ mental health that could
I wish you calm seas and safe voyages!
Elli Moretti
• In this industry, we spend time away from home, which puts strain on ourselves and our families. • Building strong supportive networks helps us and our families manage when we are away and when we may need support and assistance to help us deal with difficulties. • Accepting support from those who care about you, and will listen to you, strengthens your ability to get through life’s challenges
12
Issue 72-June 2020
