By
Rebecca Gibson |
The cruise and ferry industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors by the Covid-19 crisis in the maritime industry, with approximately 70 per cent of employees being forced to remain ashore for months. Crew members have also had to deal with uncertainty and concern for the future.
As the largest flag authority for passenger ships, The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has been collaborating with partners such as the International Maritime Organization Seafarer Crisis Action Team to facilitate crew repatriation and ease the mental burdens on seafarers throughout the pandemic. As the industry starts to resume services, The BMA continues to offer support and assistance to those working in the sector.
In early 2021, The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) launched the Seafarer Covid-19 Welfare Survey in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Public Health. The survey is designed to discover how the pandemic has affected the mental health and well-being of front-line crew. The confidential online questionnaire was open to seafarers from all sectors of the maritime industry until the end of summer 2021 and received positive support from key organisations within the cruise and ferry sectors.
Results will be published to help organisations develop effective strategies for combatting the challenges faced by mariners working in all sectors. Individual seafarer details and responses will be completely anonymous with the data sets used to highlight key trends in seafarer well-being.
Initial results have produced interesting findings, showing an increased awareness of the provision of mental health care onboard ships, as well as a general acceptance that this assistance is an effective way to support seafarers. However, as the pandemic continues to impact the industry, most seafarers have reported that port calls, access to and from vessels, contract extensions and access to onshore medical facilities remain a challenge.
Next year, The BMA will launch a short survey to ask more detailed questions about the key issues picked up in the initial study, which will help the industry to focus its efforts to provide the most appropriate support. It will also highlight the conclusions drawn from the surveys at high-profile maritime events focused on crew well-being.
The BMA will continue collaborating with industry bodies, governments and legislators to constantly improve crew welfare. The aim is to make the maritime industry an attractive proposition for young people, so the sector can develop and thrive in the future.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
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