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The Seafarers Welfare Board has been providing counselling, access to books, the internet and toll calls to seafarers for years.
Running off charity donations a law change will see part of the Maritime Levy go towards the board which operates in 11 ports around the country.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said some crew members had been at sea for 18 months with little to no contact with their families, so onshore support was vital. The board ensured Wi-Fi units were made available for ships calling at New Zealand ports, this gives seafarers the chance to connect with their families after months at sea and board staff communicating with them provides an avenue to raise concerns and complaints.
The Government has passed provisions allowing things like crew changes (which are guaranteed under the Maritime Labour Convention) to happen, but that’s not the full story. The London-based International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is criticising New Zealand for running a seemingly generous policy for these seafarers on paper, but then allowing local port companies and district health boards (DHBs) to nullify these policies by passing their own rules. Left unaddressed the issue could lead to a major maritime accident in our waters, drive up costs and discourage some ships from visiting.
JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF
The Seafarers Mission chair says crews whose contracts have been extended by months without shore leave feel imprisoned.