Seafarers are not the only group of people who suffer the effects of separation and solitude – but they are unique in the circumstances of being at sea, and of how hard it is to tackle the issue.
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Sleep is one of the most important issues at sea. Tired, fatigued, stressed and distracted people make mistakes. So ensuring there is enough time to rest, and that you can get quality sleep is all important. Is enough done at sea to aid restful sleep?
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The Philippines' House of Representatives committee on overseas workers has approved a new “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers” designed to ensure working and living conditions that are consistent with Philippine law and international maritime conventions.
Read MoreTime was when ports were abuzz with exotic cargoes, vessels and of course seafarers. There were pubs which existed to serve them, there were other very “specialised” businesses which sprang up to cater for their ”needs”. Today though it is all so different. Ships dock far from most towns, and the days of people even recognising seafarers seem over hence, being in port becomes less enjoyable for many seafarers.
The cyber security concerns which are facing shipping are often talked about. However, it seems this could just be part of a wider problem. With an aging seafarer population, there are concerns some crews are behind the curve when it comes to technology. Is this true?
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There have been some very sad stories lately of seafarers being beaten, and of relationships breaking down at sea. There can be a pressure cooker atmosphere on some ships. So what can seafarers do to build relationships and make life at sea one of friendship and camaraderie? Let’s look at the 12 steps to making good things happen
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There are many criticisms that seafaring is not as exciting as it used to be. Given that it may have involved historically involved keel hauling that may not be a bad thing. But how can work be more fun and battle back against boredom?
Read MoreNothing screams "Hello sailor!" quite like an anchor tattoo. Popeye has one on each arm, and Sir Winston Churchill sported one on his right bicep. Heck, today even cultural icons such as Kate Moss, Kelly Osbourne and Miley Cyrus all have anchors hidden away. Despite the celebrity hooks, there is some real history behind the ink.
We often talk about seafarer happiness, and the effect that has onboard. What about seafarer pain? It is too easy to forget that shipping safety and performance can rest on how seafarers feel as they go about their business – and teeth are a big part of this.
Read MorePeople have always gone to sea for many different reasons – for some there is still a sense of adventure, for others the challenge, while some are in for the money - and pay the cost of being away fro...
Whether it's Hollywood, novels, documentaries, or good old fashioned history class, the lives of famous sailors (whether fictional or real) have permeated most parts of popular culture. As a member of...
Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin…when you are all set to leave the house to head back to sea it can be a real pain. So what are the essential bits and bobs which every seafarer needs....
There has been a massive evolution in different vessel designs – back in the day all vessels were created to the same basic template, and no matter what they ended up doing it was a similar pattern. B...
In the multi-cultural maritime world, “Maritime English” is the key to making things happen. But how did it become that way, is it for the best and just how important is it to understand the language ...
One of the most challenging aspects of life at sea is to somehow keep relationships and friendships alive despite being away so often. Communication via the internet can help those fortunate enough to...
