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efforts have allegedly been frustrated by shifting Indian gov- break. It imposes physical and mental punishments on the ernment policy regarding its permission for return of Indian seafarers. As they endure this routine, their ability to safely seafarers. It is no wonder that some cruise lines have found and thoroughly perform their important tasks decreases. This it less burdensome to sail some of their vessels to ports of the puts their ships and the environment at risk. nations of its crews and return them directly to homes. Singapore recognizes these risks and has approved over

While the press has devoted a fair amount of time report- 40,000 crew change requests as of mid-June. Unfortunately, ing on the plight of seafarers on idled cruise ships, few are it is the exception. Unless other port states recognize their re- discussing the greater problem of seafarers on cargo vessels. sponsibility, as pointed out by the IMO and other internation-

Thousands of these seafarers are stuck in a form of inden- al agencies, as well as by maritime labor unions, the dangers tured servitude on their ships, unable to get replacements and to these seafarers, their ships, and the international economy return home. They continue to make ports calls, loading and will continue to grow. Shame on the port states for allowing unloading cargoes, loading food and other necessaries, and this avoidable situation to come into existence and then fester discharging waste – but they are not allowed to go ashore. for months.

The only people that come aboard are pilots, the occasional

The Author port state inspector or surveyor, and necessary longshoremen handling cargo. Everyone maintains social distancing and many wear masks. There are no handshakes.

Bryant

It could be argued that these seafarers are involuntarily be-

Dennis Bryant is with Bryant’s ing isolated from the ravages of COVID-19. They do not

Maritime Consulting, and a regular associate with others for weeks and sometimes months at a contributor to Maritime Reporter & time. Yet, few of these seafarers have contracted COVID-19.

Engineering News.

The toll, though, is the grind of the unending work without www.marinelink.com 13