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International Seafarers Welfare And Assistance Network News

04 Jun 2020

Inmarsat Extends Seafarer Support

© Alex Stemmer / Adobe Stock

Satellite communications provider Inmarsat says it continues to ramp up its response to COVID-19, with additional initiatives to improve seafarer wellbeing. These initiatives include further collaboration with ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network) and maritime charities, the launch of a new chatcard and the wider roll-out of a COVID-19 video telemedicine call service.As the pandemic has unfolded, the ompany has worked closely with welfare organization…

27 Mar 2020

Connecting Crew During COVID-19

© STOCKSTUDIO / Adobe Stock

Inmarsat Maritime President Ronald Spithout says providing crews with enhanced levels of connectivity and support is critical at this unprecedented time, and offers an insight into the work already underway with welfare organizations to assist seafarers in need.Given Inmarsat’s position as the leading provider of maritime VSAT and L-Band services at sea, it is hardly surprising that we have been alert to the direct connection between coronavirus and surging demand for crew voice call and data services.

07 Jun 2018

Day of the Seafarer Campaign Focuses on Wellbeing

Seafarers' rights to be treated fairly and enjoy quality of life at sea is the focus this year's Day of the Seafarer campaign, under the theme: Seafarer's wellbeing. "Day of the Seafarer 2018 (25 June) will provide a platform to advocate for higher standards of welfare and enable shipping companies and others within the industry to show how they provide a good working environment for seafarers and thereby make a positive contribution to their wellbeing," said International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim. This year the campaign includes a short survey aimed at collecting seafarers' feedback on whether they know their rights at sea and whether those rights are being implemented into their operational reality.

27 Jul 2016

KVH's Zika Virus Safety Video for Mariners

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that it is offering Videotel’s new safety and training video about the Zika virus free to all mariners worldwide. The goal of the program is to increase awareness  of the vitally important prevention measures that can keep seafarers and their colleagues and families safe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a public health emergency earlier this year. Given the global nature of the maritime industry, it is imperative that seafarers take precautions to prevent further spread of the disease. The prevalence of the Zika virus in such areas as Brazil has heightened concerns with the approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.

27 Jun 2016

Day of Seafarer: ICS Highlights Seafarers Role in Migrant Rescues

Gerardo Borromeo, Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) took the opportunity today to highlight the courage that is currently being displayed by seafarers, of all nationalities, with respect to the rescue at sea crisis taking place in Europe and in the Mediterranean. Speaking at an event run by the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to celebrate the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Day of the Seafarer on 25th June 2016, he said, “Seafarers move the world, and in doing so they also make tremendous sacrifices, staying away from home and family for extended periods of time. But they can also be called upon to take on other extraordinary tasks, beyond the call of normal duty.

16 Dec 2015

Orsel Joins ISWAN Board

Karin Orsel (Photo: ISWAN)

The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has announced that Karin Orsel has joined the board as a trustee. Orsel is the Chief Executive Officer of MF Shipping in the Netherlands, President of WISTA International, and Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping. ISWAN is the international NGO that works to improve the welfare of seafarers worldwide. ISWAN is a membership organization that works with shipowners, maritime companies, unions, welfare organizations, and governments.

07 Aug 2015

Maritime Piracy Program Moves to ISWAN

The boards of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program (MPHRP) have informed about the moving of the activities of the MPHRP into ISWAN. A transfer agreement was signed by both parties on August 3, 2015. ISWAN will now be responsible for all the activities of the highly respected MPHRP. The move to ISWAN will enable the program to develop under the auspices of a well-established international seafarers’ welfare organization that is registered as a charity. The program will continue to support the seafarers and their families who are affected by piracy. While piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia have significantly decreased, attacks are on the increase in South East Asia and continuing in the Gulf of Guinea.

05 Aug 2015

Marine Bodies Unite

The boards of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) are pleased to announce the moving of the activities of the MPHRP into ISWAN. A transfer agreement was signed by both parties on 3 August 2015. ISWAN will now be responsible for all the activities of the highly respected MPHRP. The move to ISWAN will enable the programme to develop under the auspices of a well-established international seafarers’ welfare organisation that is registered as a charity. The programme will continue to support the seafarers and their families who are affected by piracy.

12 Nov 2014

Ebola Safety Video Launched for Mariners

Photo: KVH Industries

KVH Industries, Inc. is offering Videotel's new video about Ebola safety free to all mariners worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of the prevention measures that can help keep seafarers safe. KVH has created a website, www.kvh.com/EbolaSafety, for mariners to download the free video and an accompanying workbook. In addition, KVH delivered the video program to its IP-MobileCast customers on vessels across the globe, who will automatically receive the video for immediate viewing onboard.

31 Jul 2014

MPHRP's Welfare Responder Training in Manila

Few people are as devoted to seafarers’ wellbeing as MPHRP’s partners, which include the members of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). With that in mind, MPHRP embarked upon a training initiative devised in collaboration with both ICMA and ISWAN. Based upon research and extensive shared experience, the training engages port chaplains, seafarers’ centres, other shore-based welfare providers to seafarers and community carers in home countries, ensuring that we reach seafarers in ports and in their home locations before and immediately after piracy and post repatriation.

11 Apr 2014

Port of Antwerp wins “Port of the Year” Award

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). award on behalf of Antwerp Port Authority at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. recognition of the efforts made on a daily basis by the Antwerp port community on behalf of the many seafarers. port of and for people. presentation. skin colour, language or religious conviction. In fact there have been seamen’s missions in Antwerp from as early as 1870. computers, wifi and sports facilities so that they can relax and keep in touch while they are away from home. Hotel opened with budget-friendly accommodation for seafarers. welfare of seafarers. The port of Antwerp is particularly pleased with this second Welfare Award. international logistics chains that bind our city and port to the rest of the world.

20 Nov 2013

KVH Sponsors Event Highlighting Seafarer Welfare

The private ISWAN event on 21 November will take place in an appropriately maritime venue: The Ward Room of the HMS "President", a former Royal Navy warship docked in London and converted to a club and event space. George, the author of the acclaimed book, "Deep Sea and Foreign Going: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry that Brings You 90% of Everything," published in September 2013, is a lecturer and former ship master who received the MBE in 2000 for services to maritime safety. George spent five weeks on a containership while researching "Deep Sea and Foreign Going," which describes the challenging working conditions onboard commercial ships. Her book has received attention both inside and outside the shipping industry for raising awareness of seafarers' welfare.

11 Nov 2013

MLC Gains Traction But There Are Slip Ups ...

The new provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) – the seafarers "bill of rights' – have been beginning to bite since they came into effect in August 2013. The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) reports that eight ships were detained for breaches of the MLC during its first month of enforcement – three in Canada (the first state to detain a vessel for breaching the MLC), three in Spain, and one each in Denmark and the Russian Federation. Two of the detained ships were flagged in Cyprus, two in Panama, and one each in Liberia, Marshall Islands, Netherlands and Tanzania. However, a recent case in Great Britain shows the need for close scrutiny of implementation of the convention: a port state control inspection of the Greek-owned…

26 Apr 2013

New Multilingual Medical Assessment Booklet

Photo: ISWAN

The International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) published multilingual questions for the medical assessment and treatment of seafarers. This updated publication assists medical professionals, first officers, port health authorities and welfare workers, among others, with assessing and treating seafarers in emergency and non-emergency situations. The booklet covers a range of medical areas including cardiac events, injuries to different parts of the body and pain relating to specific conditions.