Jasprit Chawla News

According to the latest statistics, over 25 percent of people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and for those working offshore, this figure is significantly and potentially dangerously higher. What’s more, the problem’s growing. So, what’s causing the rise of mental health problems within our industry and why are seafarers more likely to suffer from these issues than those working on land? Most importantly, what can be done to solve the problem and establish a happier, healthier and safer workforce on the 51,000+ merchant ships that sail our seas?

InterManager, the international trade association for in‐house and third party ship managers, has condemned the decision by South Korean appeal court judges to jail the Master and Chief Engineer of the Hebei Spirit. Guy Morel, General Secretary of InterManager, slammed the retrial decision, which comes after the pair were found innocent of the same charges by a South Korean court in June this year. “It is unacceptable that these two dedicated seafarers should be treated in this way,” Mr. Morel said. InterManager, whose members represent a worldwide fleet of some 2,500 vessels and more than 100,000 crew, believes the plight of the Hebei Spirit pair has already had a detrimental effect on recruitment at a time when seafarers are in short supply.

InterManager, the international inhouse and third party shipmanagement association, has roundly condemned the continuing detention in of the Master and Chief Officer from the tanker Hebei Spirit. The 1993 built Hebei Spirit was at anchor waiting for a berth when a crane barge broke its tow in stormy weather and smashed into her side, holing three cargo tanks. About 10,500 tons of oil spilled into the sea, causing ’s largest ever oil spill. Two South Korean tug masters were jailed for their part in the incident but the two Hebei Spirit\ officers, Indian nationals Capt Jasprit Chawla and Syam Chetan, were cleared of all charges on June 23rd. However, they have since been prevented from leaving pending a retrial that is not expected to take place until early next year.