Sea Prison : COVID-19 Has Left Hundreds Of Thousands Of Seafarers Stranded
at 8:33 am NPR
On a chilly January morning, the Rev. Mary Davisson climbs up the stern ramp of the Tonsberg, an enormous ship bobbing in the murky waters at the Port of Baltimore. Davisson, the executive director and port chaplain of the Baltimore International Seafarers Center, has spent much of her nearly two-decade career helping foreign crew members arriving in port, whether it is giving them a lift into town to buy personal items or just enjoying a coffee with them.
Nowadays the visits are short, just enough time for her to drop off packages that seafarers had delivered to her home, some magazines and other goodies.
On a chilly January morning, the Rev. Mary Davisson climbs up the stern ramp of the
Tonsberg, an enormous ship bobbing in the murky waters at the Port of Baltimore. Davisson, the executive director and port chaplain of has spent much of her nearly two-decade career helping foreign crew members arriving in port, whether it is giving them a lift into town to buy personal items or just enjoying a coffee with them.
Nowadays the visits are short, just enough time for her to drop off packages that seafarers had delivered to her home, some magazines and other goodies. Since COVID started, we ve been taking them Hershey s Kisses with a little handout that says we can t shake your hand, but we can give you Hershey s Kisses, she says.
Claire Harbage / NPR
Originally published on January 29, 2021 1:49 pm
On a chilly January morning, the Rev. Mary Davisson climbs up the stern ramp of the
Tonsberg, an enormous ship bobbing in the murky waters at the Port of Baltimore. Davisson, the executive director and port chaplain of the Baltimore International Seafarers Center, has spent much of her nearly two-decade career helping foreign crew members arriving in port, whether it is giving them a lift into town to buy personal items or just enjoying a coffee with them.
Nowadays the visits are short, just enough time for her to drop off packages that seafarers had delivered to her home, some magazines and other goodies.
And many of those men and women shouldn t have to be on those vessels.
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Fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the crew change crisis has dragged on for months. The International Chamber of Shipping and International Transport Workers Federation has said that some 400,000 seafarers are now forced to work beyond their contract.
This is a humanitarian crisis, as the International Labour Organization described the situation in a recent statement.
Expressing deep concern for the situation, an ILO committee said inaction by its member states on the crew change could amount to forced labour .
Shipping companies and charities join forces for #SeafarersDelivering Christmas 2020
The global shipping industry and welfare organisations have come together to support seafarers though the #SeafarersDeliveringChristmas campaign 2020.
The campaign brings the shipping community together to support seafarers as they celebrate the end-of-year holidays. These are ‘key workers’ who have worked tirelessly to keep nations supplied through the pandemic. The campaign will ensure they receive the support they deserve.
Examples of festive projects from supporting organisations and partners include:
The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network online Festive Countdown, giving away prizes to seafarers and promoting some ideas for onboard activities
A holiday video message from the European Commissioner for Transport, expressing gratitude towards seafarers