The Mission to Seafarers Names Rouch Secretary General
Maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers announced Dr. Peter Rouch has been named as its next secretary general, succeeding Revd. Canon Andrew Wright, who will retire from the role in September this year, after almost 12 years of leading the organization. Rouch has been appointed to the role by the board of The Mission to Seafarers. He will join the Mission on July 1, enabling a period of handover between himself and Wright.Tom Boardley, chairman of The Mission to Seafarers, said, "We are delighted that Peter is joining the Mission and look forward to welcoming him in July. Our
Seafarer Happiness on the Rise
Seafarer happiness levels are trending upward after reaching a record low last quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report published by The Mission to Seafarers.The survey, undertaken with the support of the Standard Club and Idwal, reports on Q2 2022 and shows that the influx of industry solutions to tackle seafarer wellbeing has finally begun to lift morale and the mindset onboard. With more vaccinations, more frequent crew changes, wage rises and new amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), there has been a knock-on effect for seafarer optimism. However, while the
Columbia Shipmanagement Announces New Mental Health Initiative
to shipping crews. The courses will focus on assisting crew members with their financial and social wellbeing.CSM Group’s Director of Crewing and Training, Captain Faouzi Fradi, said, “CSM is passionate about the wellbeing of seafarers, as they are the beating heart of our industry. The Mission to Seafarers’ crew welfare program provides financial, social and wellbeing courses to promote coping strategies for crew, to empower them as they navigate family responsibilities and life at sea.”Jan Webber, Director of Development at Mission to Seafarers, added, “We’re delighted
Wilhelmsen Crowdfunds to Support Seafarers COVID-19 Relief
Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) is crowdfunding to support Mission to Seafarers (MtS), one of the largest maritime charities serving merchant crews around the world in addressing the hardships faced by the affected seafarers.The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption on crew change operations. The fallout effect of this has impacted approximately 150,000 seafarers onboard unable to be signed off and another 150,000 seafarers onshore unable to sign on. This disruption has impacted the affected seafarers’ welfare. For those onboard, the mental distress and anxiety to get home can be
Seafarers Are Happy!
New report from the Mission to Seafarers paints optimistic picture across the shipping industry and shows increased positivity and satisfaction among those working at sea.After concerning reports earlier in the year, the latest Seafarers Happiness Index, a gauge for measuring the feelings and experiences of seafarers across the global maritime industry, report has shown a marked improvement in happiness levels amongst seafarers across all sectors of the industry.The latest report overall seafarer happiness has risen from 6.27/10 to 6.59 – a very promising sign for the industry.Happiness
Seafarers’ Mental Health is Focus of New Training Program
produced with overwhelming support from within the industry. Steering group members include: Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd; Associated British Ports; International Maritime Employers’ Council; International Maritime Organization (IMO); “K” Line LNG Shipping (UK) Limited; The Mission to Seafarers; Nautilus International; Sailors’ Society; Shell International Ltd; The Shipowners’ Club; Swire Pacific Offshore; John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Ltd. Seafarers UK and other organisations are assisting with distribution and promotion of the training package
Connectivity is Fundamental to Seafarer Happiness
There’s a growing link between onboard connectivity and seafarer happiness levels, according to the latest Seafarer Happiness Index report from charity group the Mission to Seafarers.The report is based on the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Mission between January and March this year, in which seafarers were asked to rate their happiness out of ten on a variety of measures.A key finding of the report was the issue of contact with family and loved ones, with seafarers showing an overwhelming need for better internet access that allows them to keep in touch with those back home.
International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards Presented
RotterdamThe Port of Rotterdam, together with various other stakeholders, has greatly improved welfare services for seafarers in the area and is working on a number of other future initiatives to continue to provide for visiting seafarers.Seafarer Centre of the Year: Mission to Seafarers BrisbaneThe Mission to Seafarers Brisbane welcomes an estimated 12,000 seafarers each year and maximizes seafarers’ time ashore with its free on-demand bus service. In addition to its wider stakeholder cooperation, the MTS Brisbane works with students at Queensland University of Technology to help them meet the constantly
Seafarer Happiness a Key Measure for Progress and Growth
On the International Day of Happiness, seafarer welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, urged international shipping to take seafarer happiness more seriously as a success indicator and key factor in growth. The Seafarers Happiness Index showed a decline in happiness since the last survey in 2016 by social network Crewtoo, with isolation and poor working practices posing serious threats to the reputation of the profession and the ability to recruit. Seafarers, nearly 60% of whom were from South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, were asked to mark their happiness out of ten
SSG, MPA and Maritime Union to Inject $12.6 mln in Training
homes such as Care Community Services Society, Hope Community Services Center, Jamiyah Home for the Aged and Bright Hill Evergreen Home were invited to the luncheon and presented hong baos. Additionally, starting from 2018, SMOU will contribute $120,000 over a period of three years to The Mission to Seafarers Singapore (MTSS) to improve the welfare and general well-being of seafarers. This contribution will serve to benefit seafarers who visit the International Drop-in Center at Jurong Port operated by MTSS. The facilities at the center offer seafarers a cosy environment to relax, free
Seafarer Happiness Index Relaunched
International seafarer welfare charity, the Mission to Seafarers, has announced its relaunch of the Seafarer Happiness Index to support a sustainable future for the global maritime industry. The Mission is partnering with project founder, Steven Jones, to pick up the reins from seafarer social network Crewtoo. The Mission to Seafarers Seafarer Happiness Index will consist of the same ten questions as the previous index, delivering a mark out of ten on key welfare issues like shore leave, wages, food, training, social interaction and family contact. The anonymous survey also seeks first-hand
Mental Health at Sea: A Storm is Brewing
ships that sail our seas? The big debate: mental health issues - a growing problem, or just less taboo? June 12 to June 18 this year marks Men’s Mental Health Week: one of many calendar dates throughout the year aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues. According to a report commissioned by the anti-stigma program Time to Change and published by the charities behind the campaign, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, results show public attitudes towards mental illness are moving in the right direction. It would seem that the stigma that once surrounded mental illness is slowly being
Liverpool Seafarers Center to Open Eastham Hub
be provided offering Seafarers the opportunity to exercise within a countryside environment or to cycle to nearby shops." Mr Wilson said the charity, whose roots date back to the 19th century, is a partnership between the Catholic Apostleship of the Sea (Liverpool) and the Anglican Mersey Mission to Seafarers. Its aim is to help with the emotional strain of being away from home and loved ones for long periods of time at sea. “The working life of a seafarer is a hard and at times dangerous one,” he said. “Following our Christian ethos we can offer a friendly person
Sea Sunday Highlights the Plight of Abandoned Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers’ (MtS) Sea Sunday campaign 2014 kicks off this week on 13 July in hundreds of church congregations around the world, and will highlight the tragic plight of abandoned seafarers suffering in maritime ports. In the UK alone, MtS has witnessed some extraordinary cases of abandoned vessels in the last year, which caused untold misery and distress, with ships’ crews being left penniless in port, and lacking water, fuel and basic food supplies. MtS provides essential emergency support to those seafarers who become the innocent victims of bankrupt shipowners and who
