COVID-19 – Sailors' Society South Africa

Sailors’ Society SA continues virtual seafarer support in response to lockdown.

18 May, 2020

COVID-19 Response, Crisis Response, Outreach, Trauma

In response to the article in The Guardian of 14 May 2020, “Deaths and hunger strikes point to mental health crises on stranded cruise ships” Sailors Society SA has stepped up its virtual support which the organisation has been offering since the lockdown situation. The Crisis Response Network of the Society still has ongoing contact with seafarers on board vessels using Skype, telephone and social media to provide advice, support and arrange practical help for crews. We are in contact…

COVID-19 and Seafarers Latest News

18 May, 2020

ethekwinigirl

COVID-19 Response

Deaths and hunger strikes point to mental health crisis on stranded cruise ships As tensions rise over failure to repatriate workers, plight of crews highlighted by the apparent suicide of a Ukrainian woman in Rotterdam. Several deaths, a hunger strike and disturbances on board cruise ships have raised fresh concern about what crew members say is the deteriorating mental health of staff stranded aboard cruise ships still floating at sea. A worldwide standoff between cruise companies and health authorities has…

Helpline cases Triple as Seafarers Seek Help during COVID-19 Pandemic

14 May, 2020

ethekwinigirl

COVID-19 Response, Seafarers, Trauma

International 24-hour helpline SeafarerHelp, operated by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), has experienced a surge in demand as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affects seafarers worldwide. In April 2020 alone, ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp handled over 600 new cases – more than triple the number in the same month last year. Many of these cases involve seafarers experiencing issues as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, up to 1 May 2020, the helpline has recorded over 470…