Are seafarer centres still relevant in a digital age?

Reduced and cancelled shore leave for seafarers has forced seafarer centres to re-examine the services they provide

In the late 1990s and early noughties, the sale of phone cards, use of phone booths and desktop computers were the most in-demand services provided by centres. Today, its visitors are relaxing on their mobile phones, tablets and laptops and make use of contactless shopping as well as seeking out some old-fashioned conversation.

Connectivity counts

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index reports that satisfaction with ‘onboard connectivity’ in on the increase but that’s not always the picture on the ground. Seafarers Welfare Board for New Zealand chair Reverend Lance Lukin says that access to onboard connectivity still “remains an issue”, with his organisation providing Wi-Fi to 4,966 ships visiting New Zealand ports during 2021.  

Contactless shopping and other remote services provided by centres will continue to be particularly appreciated. “We get them good deals and they can then use any time ashore for other things, such as visiting local sights. The shopping service also allows us an opportunity to chat and the vital advocacy work that we do will continue into the future.” 

During 2021, the Seafarers Welfare Board responded to 12,011 social media interactions – via WhatsApp, Facebook and the like with the majority of these conversations relating to welfare issues. So, while centres may not be being visited, the functions that they have provided have continued via new mediums.

Reverend Lukin

Somewhere safe and relaxed

There’s just “no substitute to spending time ashore, in a safe and relaxed environment”, asserts Cardiff University’s Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) research associate Dr Nelson Turgo.

“It is a welcome respite from days and weeks of seeing the same faces, eating the same food and being in the same environment.”

With many ports located outside towns and cities, Turgo says seafarer centres provide a semblance of normality to the frenetic and structured life-world of seafarers. “Seafarers need a safe place to ‘re-engage’ with the world from time to time, and centres serve that purpose.”

Noting a somewhat fluid landscape as some centres are closing, and others are opening or moving to 24-hour unmanned operation, Turgo sees their physical infrastructure continuing to remain relevant, “although the services will vary and evolve. With the continuing globalisation of the crewing industry, there could be further developments in the recruitment of multi-ethnic and -faith staff and chaplains, and the provision of ecumenical faith spaces/rooms for seafarers.”

Access to jabs

Seafarer and IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for the Philippines Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis is adamant the centres have proven of even greater importance during the pandemic. “The welfare organisations have been more involved in aiding the seafarers,” he says, “especially with rolling out the COVID vaccine.” 

“The Mission to Seafarers has been very active in providing services in their jurisdiction. Other charities are also embarking onboard to pay seafarers a visit. It’s motivating to know that people still remember us!” 

Seafarer welfare is more pressing than ever with the lack of shore leave, the crew change crisis and mental health. Seafarer centres remain in the best position to serve as “the first line of defence”. 

Centres are typically staffed by volunteers and funded by charities and donations but Sabanal Balinis believes that those benefiting from the maritime industry should allocate a “fair share” to the much-needed seafarer workforce. “Last year, Human Rights at Sea, has been pursuing its Maritime Levy Campaign in Australia. This is after successfully urging New Zealand to update its national legislation that all welfare centres be funded through a dedicated maritime levy contribution.”

Vaccinated seafarers in Seattle. Credit: The Mission to Seafarers

Gangway support

“Unfortunately, shore leave has been limited during the pandemic,” says Mission for Seafarers director for development, Jan Webber, “but centre staff have been responding to seafarers’ requests by meeting them at the gangways. Shopping and mental health support have been a huge part of our work.”

Webber, who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to women in the maritime sector in the latest New Year’s List, says seafarer centres provide so much more than Wi-Fi access including wellbeing support, access to currency exchange, transport to shops, access to leisure facilities and socialising with other seafarers among other services. “This human connection and in-person support can never be underestimated when seafarers are onboard vessels for months at a time,” says Webber.

Jan Webber with seafarers in Lyttelton

“Our chaplains are all trained in mental health first aid and are on hand in ports whenever and wherever they are needed.” Seafarer centres and their staff have worked “extremely hard” to adapt and respond to circumstances posed by the pandemic, continues Webber. “We are pleased to still be able to open the majority of our centres around the world after making significant upgrades and changes to ensure the safety of our teams, and the seafarers.”

“Our centres will continue to develop and evolve in terms of the services we provide in the years to come, ensuring we are putting seafarers first and recognising the needs of these key workers which will be constantly changing in this ever-developing industry.”

Iain MacIntyre is a freelance journalist