ITF Seafarers’ Trust Launches Shore Leave 2.0

Press release - The ITF Seafarers’ Trust is launching an enhanced version of its free Shore Leave app – the first app designed to help seafarers looking for reliable transport when in port. Shore Leave only needs to be downloaded once, and after that all the contact details of seafarers’ centers all over the world are stored in the user’s smartphone and accessible offline, anywhere, anytime. It also includes all the contact details for ISWAN Seafarers Help, the 24/7 helpline for seafarers.

Luca Tommasi, Seafarers’ Trust Project Manager explained: “The idea of the original app was to transform the ISWAN seafarers’ centers directory into an interactive app that could be used offline. The response from seafarers was very positive and the app was downloaded over 10,000 times. That was a good result but we would like to reach 50,000 downloads; the aim is to have at least one seafarer on every vessel using Shore Leave, and getting the most out of their free time.”

The new version includes additional features, for example there is now the possibility for seafarers to leave reviews of seafarers’ centres.  Kimberly Karlshoej, Head of the Trust said: “The new version of Shore Leave allows seafarers to rate the centers and to leave comments, so that other seafarers will be informed about the quality of facilities and services and know what to expect before visiting.”

Dave Heindel, Chair of the Seafarers’ Trust Board of Trustees added: “Seafarers face all sorts of difficulty in going ashore. Having an app to get in touch with the right people all over the world will be helpful. Shore Leave is designed to give them the chance to get in touch with the local welfare providers and be just a couple of clicks away from a bus ride to the city, the shopping center or a seafarers’ centre where they can relax and enjoy their free time.”

Shore Leave is available for free for Android and IPhone.