Page 20: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2018)

MARINER WELFARE

Maritime Welfare Training ...

... More Important than Ever

The shipping industry is facing un- way to go. True, that there are model without the dedication, commitment, ports, endless inspections, and mini- precedented change. With topics such owners and operators within the indus- and professionalism of seafarers, the mal opportunities for shore leave, it’s as new environmental regulations and try who uphold the highest standards whole fabric of global trade as we no wonder that there is increasing the opportunities and challenges of of welfare for their crew, but there is know it would fall apart. awareness of the stresses and strains digitalization dominating the conver- still plenty of work to be done to en- This year, The International Mari- placed on seafarers and concerns for sation, seafarers’ welfare has tended to sure uniformly high standards across time Organization (IMO) marked its their mental, as well as physical well- be overlooked. the board. annual Day of the Seafarer by high- being.

This trend is slowly changing as the At least for the foreseeable future, lighting the need for the industry to For maritime professionals engag- industry continues to recognize the seafaring will continue to be a physi- focus on the wellbeing of seafarers, ing with seafarers, it’s imperative to need to professionalize its approach to cally and mentally demanding occupa- particularly their mental health. understand and appreciate the various maritime welfare, but there is a long tion in a dangerous environment. And With stricter security controls in issues affecting seafarers that can and

Photo: David Rider 20 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • SEPTEMBER 2018

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