Issue 260 Jul/Aug 2019 Seafarers are still necessary Lashing death Maritime employers play down the idea of completely unmanned ships prompts safety call SEAFARERS should not be worried the professionals that will, about their future careers: that was according to IMEC, lead the A SECOND officer fell overboard the main message from a recent changes that will occur over from the 2,902-teu, Singapore- conference on the Human Element the next 30 years. flagged containership Maersk in Marine Automation, organised Jamie Smith Credit: The conference analysed Patras and died on 19 May. by the International Maritime how the role of tomorrow’s Initial reports said Sri Lankan Employers’ Council (IMEC). seafarer will undoubtedly second officer Ravindu Lakmal More than 150 delegates, from change. Pieris Telge was involved in both the shipping industry and The consensus was that lowering a pilot ladder when he other sectors, gathered to look at sophisticated technology fell while the vessel was on the the future of onboard operations will be implemented on Saint Lawrence River in Canada and the role of seafaring over the board and will have the and was unable to be rescued, but next 30 years. positive consequence of it later appeared that he was in fact The delegates heard that while making the industry more undertaking lashing work. unmanned vessels are being Autonomous ships will still need human hands on attractive to tech-savvy The International Transport trialled at present, the complexity board school leavers. Workers’ Federation (ITF) called on of designing and operating a fully- Maritime training will the Canadian Government to ban unmanned deep-sea vessel is vast the conference over the course therefore have to keep evolving foreign crews from lashing cargo. and will require human interaction of the day covered issues from to ensure that tomorrow’s officers ITF Canadian co-ordinator for a long time yet – although regulation and accident investigation will not only be able to use the Peter Lahay said: “This is a tragic that interaction could well be of a to technological business models. technology but have the capacity situation for this seafarer’s family, different nature from what happens The event concluded with a to make good decisions if it fails. n friends and fellow crew members today. panel made up of cadets from the Taking technology by the horns – on board the Patras, and sadly, our The 24 speakers who addressed UK and Ukraine – who represented Page 8 worst fears about the dangers of seafarers lashing cargo on the Saint Lawrence have been realised.” Maersk said it was in contact Drone to sniff out ship pollution with both the seafarer’s relatives and the vessel’s crew, who would A LARGE drone will soon be receive crisis counselling. checking emissions from ships in Chief operating officer Søren Danish waters to make sure they Toft offered “deepest condolences comply with the sulphur limit. and thoughts” to the seafarer’s The drone, provided by the family. European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), is fitted with a so-called

“sniffer” capable of measuring Danish Maritime Authority Credit: Support The Sea sulphur emissions. By entering a vessel’s exhaust The Mission to Seafarers gas plume, the aircraft can register relies on donations for the the amount of sulphur in the fuel. publication of The Sea. If Data is immediately sent to the you’ve enjoyed reading this Danish authorities, who are able to issue you can make a donation follow up if a ship does not comply to support future issues at with requirements. www.justgiving.com/ The project will contribute to a themissiontoseafarers. more efficient enforcement of the This drone will sniff out high-sulphur emissions Thank you for your kind sulphur rules, thereby ensuring support. fair competition for shipping Maritime Authority supports this The area is part of the North companies and less pollution from work through ship inspections in European Emissions Control Area ships. Danish ports – and additionally (ECA), which comprises the North To find a seafarers’ centre In Denmark, the Danish now with drone monitoring. Sea, the Baltic Sea and the English near you and for more Environmental Protection Agency The drone will operate in an area Channel. information about the is responsible for enforcing the north of Denmark’s Great Belt at Within the ECA, there is a 0.1% Mission’s services, visit sulphur rules and the Danish the entrance to the Baltic Sea. sulphur in fuel limit. n www.missiontoseafarers.org 2 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Say goodbye to cash Online connectivity SEAFARERS employed on Tsakos-owned vessels, operated better than expected under its management arrangement with Columbia New survey paints positive picture for seafarer internet access Shipmanagement, will now be paid electronically rather than A SURVEY by the International in cash. Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the The move follows an European Community Shipowners’ agreement with ShipMoney. Associations (ECSA) has revealed The global maritime that internet access for seafarers payments provider said crew for personal use on board ships members will have complete is more widespread and available control of, and access to, their than previously thought. wages while on board ship The survey also found that License Pixabay/Pexels/Pexels Credit: – including the timing and the positive benefits associated currency of remittances sent with this access outweigh the home. safety concerns surrounding the technology. The responses to the survey Singapore carried out by ICS and ECSA, with support from the Asian 82% of the organisations responding to the survey give seafarers Internet access for responds to Shipowners’ Association, indicate personal use cyber threats that the provision of internet access for seafarers for personal 85% of these companies reported concerns has stayed the same, REFLECTING the shipping use has improved sailors’ mental that this was unaffected or despite speculation that increased industry’s dependence on health and wellbeing (according improved. communications with family might information technology, the to 60% of respondents) as well as Similarly, while concerns generate more concerns about Maritime and Port Authority of their morale (according to 69% of had also been expressed as to problems ashore. Singapore (MPA) has opened a respondents). whether internet access might On another positive note, 24/7 Maritime Cybersecurity Of the organisations that replied have a negative impact upon the the vast majority of companies Operations Centre. to the study, 82% supply seafarers job performance of seafarers, (93%) claimed that the amount The MPA said the centre will with internet access for personal 96% of companies reported that of reported instances of online “conduct 24/7 monitoring and use. performance had not deteriorated. bullying and harassment has correlate data activities across Despite industry concerns that Most companies also stated not increased – in spite of all maritime critical information online connectivity might interfere that the number of instances speculation that greater internet infrastructure”. with seafarers obtaining adequate of seafarers seeking assistance access might expose seafarers to It will have the capability to sleep and rest during rest periods, due to family or home-related this behaviour. n detect and monitor cyberattacks by analysing activities in the IT environment, to detect anomalies and threats and to respond to Malaria leads to seafarer deaths cybersecurity incidents “using available technology solutions”. TWO seafarers died of malaria recently, with another two becoming seriously ill with the Master fined disease, marine insurer UK P&I Club has reported. for unsafe load According to the insurer’s practices crew health programme director, Sophia Bullard, the cases arose

A NEW Zealand court has fined despite the sailors being on License 41330/Pixabay/Pixabay Credit: the master of the Panama- medication to prevent the illness. flagged, 31,657-dwt Spinnaker It later emerged that they SW, Capt Chen Jianxi, $3,390 either did not have the correct for permitting crew to load a medication for the countries they Malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes cargo of logs without the use of were travelling to or were unsure personal protective equipment about the correct dose to take. be contracted by humans through Some complications that can (PPE) or systems to prevent Most malaria cases take place human contact. arise include kidney failure, liver falls from height. Capt Chen in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, The UK P&I Club said that failure, acute respiratory distress was warned during an initial regions such as Southeast Asia, if malaria is diagnosed and and circulatory collapse, as well inspection that crew must use the Eastern Mediterranean, the treated early, it is usually as secondary infections. PPE when working at height, Western Pacific and the Americas completely curable. However, Ships sailing within or close to but a second inspection found are also at risk. if left untreated, it can lead to regions where malaria is common he had ignored the warning. The disease is spread via complications and potential are required to carry preventative infected mosquitoes and cannot death. medication. n missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 3

Major Seafarers at greater risk of e-learning adjustment disorder firms bought TWO of the biggest players in New survey paints positive picture for seafarer internet access Realities of the job make a common mental illness more likely the maritime e-learning market, Seagull and Videotel, have been MARINE insurer UK P&I Club has bought by one company, Oakley warned that seafarers have a Capital Investments. heightened risk of suffering from Over the past 40 years, Videotel adjustment disorder. and Seagull have established This, it claimed, is due to the themselves as providers of realities of the job – for example, e-learning to the maritime sector separation from families, globally. loneliness, long working hours, They each provide over limited recreational time and 10,000 ships and installations the challenges of working in a with compliance, risk and safety

multicultural and multilingual License Charry Jin/Pexels/Pexels Credit: training that ensures adherence environment. to International Maritime The disorder, a very common Organization requirements. short-term psychological Oakley said that there will be no condition, occurs when a person immediate changes to the way the is unable to cope with stress or two companies operate. recurrent events causing stress. The condition, which is The condition can cause significant impairment in social, occupational or personal preventable, can cause physical functioning Cruise line complaints such as headaches and palpitations and significant Ms Bullard said that individuals exposure to psychological and fined for impairment in social, occupational should try to stay positive, find physical risk factors,” she said. pollution or personal functioning. The a routine, be open and engage “It is important to encourage illness is also associated with a with others on board by sharing culture and team cohesiveness THE cruise ship Magellan, owned high risk of suicide. information, ideas and thoughts on board to facilitate adjustment, by the Greece-based Global Cruise UK P&I Club crew health – and, when appropriate, empower employees and promote Lines, has been fined $80,400, with programme director Sophia emotions. wellbeing at sea.” the Norwegian Maritime Authority Bullard said that sufferers may Seafarers, she added, need to The insurer advised employers (NMA) stating that checks showed be depressed and anxious. understand their personal strengths to educate employees as that the ship entered two World “Triggers for the disorder and weaknesses and should regards acquiring appropriate Heritage fjords with sulphur values include disruptions in close seek assistance when required – communication skills, also claiming “far beyond the legal limit”. relationships; major life changes individual empowerment was the that building supportive social The NMA said its surveyors such as leaving home, getting key to personal adjustment and networks on board can help. measured the sulphur content of married or divorce; as well as happiness. Furthermore, initiatives such as the ship’s fuel as 0.17% – against occupational losses or failures,” “Organisations can implement resilience training can lessen the the applicable Emission Control she noted. interventions that aim to prevent distress affecting crew members.n Area limit of 0.10%.

Limiting noise pollution a challenge IMO’s anti- corruption LIMITING the nuisance caused by drive noise and vibrations on vessels is a key challenge in maritime design THE International Maritime and engineering, according to a Organization has agreed to group of Dutch organisations that address maritime corruption by is running a training course for including the issue in its work those involved with ship design programme. and inspection. Shipowners’ body the The course has been International Chamber of running for over 10 years, Shipping (ICS) supported the but Netherlands Maritime move. Technology (NMT), independent ICS secretary general Guy research organisation TNO and The organisations said that noise is annoying for all on a vessel Platten said that the shipping Maritime Research Institute industry was “acutely aware” of Netherlands (MARIN) said that “Noise is a nuisance for “To meet the strict the problem and wanted to work they have recently improved it. everyone on board, which is why requirements, designers and with governments to “ensure that They noted: “Excessive clients in many projects place engineers must be able to assess robust anti-corruption guidelines vibrations can lead to equipment such high demands on sound specialist advice and incorporate are put in place”. damage and crew fatigue. levels. it into the design.” n 4 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Caught out by corruption? Shipping’s resolve to clean up corruption could place more pressure on seafarers

By David Hughes

OST seafarers who have sailed on global voyages M will be aware of the ‘gifts’ of cartons of cigarettes and bottles of whisky that are routinely dispensed to various officials at ports of call in some countries. Many seafarers will be aware too that demands can be for much more than a bottle or two of spirits. A serving senior officer tells The Sea: “I had a case where an official came on board and inspected. He found a bit of paper which he said required a stamp from a classification society. It didn’t, but he insisted. The inspector said the ship would be hit with a million-dollar fine. Anyway, the captain argued it out and the amount kept on going down until the inspector was just asking for a small amount to pay for his taxi home. It ended up with him getting a loaf of bread.” Ask any ship officer who has served worldwide and you are likely to hear similar stories. But while that anecdote is mildly Refusals to give in to demands for gifts, such as cigarettes, put pressure on ship’s masters amusing there can be a more sinister side to this type of SIRC found that facilitation gifts seafarers considerable stress. trying to do what they could to corruption. The officer continues: were not limited to cigarettes and In some cases, port personnel curb the giving of gifts and illegal “It’s a huge stress for the captain drinks. They could also extend exploited minor errors made by payments, the implementation to deal with corrupt officials to ship provisions such as meat, seafarers in order to attempt of the UK’s Bribery Act 2010 was who will just try anything. I ice cream and dried goods, as to extort cash from either seen as a game changer. Although guess it pays off for the officials well as items such as razors and them or their companies. initially resisted, it galvanised the sometimes.” soap. Personal demands for cash industry into action. The UK Act In fact, it probably pays off quite In many cases, seafarers found were sometimes addressed to was seen as being tougher and often. That was made clear in a negotiations over facilitation individual seafarers. SIRC noted more far-reaching than even the 2016 report by the UK’s Cardiff- gifts to be stressful. Raids on that demands for cash were equivalent laws in the US. based Seafarers International provisions and bonded store usually passed on to shore‐based Retired former senior national Research Centre (SIRC), The items were particularly disturbing company personnel or to P&I secretary at seafarers’ union relationships between seafarers as they resulted in shortages of Clubs. Ship agents were regarded Nautilus, Allan Graveson, told and shore‐side personnel: certain items on board, depriving as being largely complicit with The Sea that there is legitimate An outline report based on seafarers of sundry food the demands for gifts and cash concern over unofficial payments research undertaken in the period supplies. Significantly though, made by port personnel. to port officials. However, he said 2012‐2016. The research team most seafarers considered that focusing on small payments and found that facilitation gifts of company‐based unilateral bans Taking action gifts of cigarettes or whisky has cigarettes, canned drinks and on gift-giving made life more The SIRC study confirmed been a “smokescreen” put up by alcohol were routinely used to difficult for them. what everybody knew. The shipowners. appease port-based personnel The research also established expectation of receiving gifts was Mr Graveson said that he and secure fair treatment for that financial extortion was endemic in the shipping industry, believed it was not an act of vessels. Refusal to distribute less common than demands as was extortion based on bribery to offer small gifts such relatively trivial facilitation for facilitation gifts but had false allegations of deficiencies, as have been customary and not gifts (in financial terms) could nevertheless been experienced wrongdoing or omissions by done in secret. lead to disproportionately large by the majority of the seafarers crew. That view, however, is not penalties for ships, including who took part in the study. While many companies and shared by the main industry detention and blacklisting. Such demands for cash caused industry organisations had been organisations, but there has missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 5 so far been no prosecution of Bunkering in Singapore, where there is a master for making such gifts, zero tolerance for corrupt practices which are now widely regarded as illegal ‘facilitation payments’. Mr Graveson said there were deeper concerns over illegal payments to influence decisions about vessel chartering, priority berthing and demolition sales. Corruption crackdown Stopping corruption in shipping Port Authority of Singapore Maritime and Credit: has become a hot topic and since the introduction of the UK Bribery Act, there have been a number of crucial moves to that end. The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) was established in 2011 by a small group of maritime companies. It has grown to include over 100 members globally and claims to be “one of the pre-eminent examples of collective action to tackle corruption”. Its aim is the elimination of all forms of maritime corruption. It says it aims to achieve this by raising awareness of the Clampdown on bad bunkering challenges faced; implementing A REPORT by the Seafarers International Research Singapore’s prosecutors recently charged a 35-year- the MACN Anti-Corruption Centre (SIRC) found: “A considerable amount of fraud old Chinese Singaporean, Lim Leong, with attempting Principles and co-developing characterised bunker supply and this caused a great to bribe a bunker surveyor into overstating the and sharing best practices; deal of stress for chief engineers”. volume delivered. The bunker clerk faced one count collaborating with governments, According to SIRC, bunker suppliers employ a of “corruptly offering gratification of an unspecified non-governmental organisations, variety of techniques to allow them to charge vessels sum” to a surveyor, Keshminder Singh, who works and civil society to identify and for more bunkers than they actually deliver. Chief for Viking Marine Services “as an inducement for mitigate the root causes of engineers are placed under considerable pressure by certifying that a certain quantity of bunker fuel was corruption, and creating a culture bunker suppliers to accept their fraudulent figures supplied to vessel A70 when in fact a lesser quantity of integrity within the maritime in the context of the high cost of vessel delays. of bunker fuel was supplied”. community. Short supply was often obscured on board by chief The CPIB said that Mr Singh did not accept the bribe. MACN has set up an engineers routinely adjusting fuel consumption It also said: “It is important to protect the integrity of anonymous incident reporting figures fractionally upwards to compensate for any the [bunker] industry and to ensure a level playing system that enables maritime deficits. In doing so the chief engineers are in danger field for all. Singapore does not tolerate corruption. It stakeholders to submit reports of being complicit in fraud and, potentially, finding is a serious offence to give or attempt to give bribes. on corrupt demands they have themselves accused of being bribed. Any person who is convicted of corruption can be faced during port operation. The When corruption allegations came to light at the fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment information collected through world’s largest bunker port, Singapore, its Corrupt of up to five years or both.” The bureau said that it anonymous incident reporting Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) took a tough “looks into all corruption complaints and reports, allow members to learn from line. including anonymous ones”. n each other how to potentially avoid similar incidents in their own operations. MACN says a constructive dialogue in in issues arising from corruption corruption agenda came at FAL’s the use of the mechanism has meetings with governments and incidents. Britannia P&I Club says latest meeting in response to a significantly increased over the other stakeholders. Reporting is it has become the first P&I club submission from Liberia, the years. So far, MACN has collected anonymous and non-attributable: to become a member of MACN. Marshall Islands, Norway, the over 28,000 reports of corrupt It is not possible for anyone to Liberia has become the first flag UK, the US and Vanuatu. demands globally. identify who has submitted a State to join MACN. In a statement, global MACN uses this data to report, and the report does shipowners’ body the Inter- analyse trends in the frequency not include details that would International action national Chamber of Shipping of incidents, allowing it to identify ships or individuals. In a sign that the campaign (ICS) said that, said that it had target collective action efforts Among other activities, MACN against corruption is gathering co-sponsored the submission and engage with governments. is running a ‘Say No’ campaign in momentum, the International along with a number of other Non-MACN members, as well the Suez Canal, while a collective Maritime Organization (IMO) non-governmental organisations as members, are encouraged to action project in Argentinian has agreed to include the issue (NGOs). share details of corrupt demands ports has seen a 90% decrease in its work programme for its ICS secretary general Guy or threats. It has proved to be in reported corruption. Facilitation Committee (FAL). Platten said: “Corruption a successful way to facilitate P&I clubs are often involved The decision to include an anti- erodes trust in government and 6 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews

Crew pressure All these developments look set, at least in the short term, to put more pressure on seafarers when confronted with demands for gifts or small payments. Refusal could easily lead to false accusations being made against seafarers and the ship. While so far, it appears, nobody has been prosecuted for handing out cartons of cigarettes, it could happen. This knowledge also puts pressure on ships’ masters. At a recent conference in Manila, focused mainly on preventing criminalisation of seafarers after accidents, the issue of bribery was also raised. Fair treatment of seafarers guidelines agreed by the IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2006 are relevant to cases where accusations of bribery are There has been a clampdown on facilitation payments in the Suez Canal levelled at masters or crew. At the meeting the London- based organisation, Seafarers’ undermines the social contract. Responding to The Sea’s master has been prosecuted for Rights International (SRI), Corruption impedes investment, questions, Mr Oliver said: “Gifts a facilitation payment or not,” highlighted the slow progress with consequent effects on of cigarettes or alcohol to take he added. “There are different being made across the world to growth and jobs. This is a global from the vessel would constitute laws in different countries but it implement the guidelines since issue but we all need to work to ‘facilitation payments’. A beer, is illegal under the UK Bribery Act they were agreed by the IMO and eradicate corrupt practices. We or cup of coffee for that matter, so they could be if the authorities the ILO in 2006. are pleased that the IMO will be with the captain while on board had the desire to do so. It should Speaking at a Nautilus meeting working to address this important would not be, at least not in my be noted that in this context, it is late last year, SRI executive issue and we will support the view, as nothing is being taken off illegal to both request or provide director Deirdre Fitzpatrick said Member States in stamping out the ship for gain, although some such payments.” research had shown that just this scourge.” companies may require it to be Mr Oliver pointed out that one-third of IMO Member States Addressing FAL, the director reported.” bribery and corruption takes had incorporated the guidelines of regulatory affairs at the ICS, He continued: “Many many forms and places the into their national legislation, Chris Oliver, said: “We are all companies now have anti- master in a very difficult one-third said they followed the aware that corruption in the bribery and corruption policies position. He noted: “The world guidelines and the remainder did maritime sector exists in many and procedures, including what has changed a lot since I went to nothing at all. areas and ... corrupt practices, and how to report when bribery sea and practices that may have She said that as well as particularly with respect to or facilitation payments are been considered ‘normal’ years prosecutions arising out of the ship/shore interface, can requested and what is allowed ago are no longer acceptable.” pollution, collisions, fatal lead to interruptions to normal and not allowed. Further, many The current discussions accidents, shipwrecks and operations, can incur higher companies now have anti-bribery at FAL should lead either to groundings, there was a growing operational costs for the and corruption clauses in their IMO guidelines or an inclusive number of cases involving shipowner and can have an contracts with suppliers. IMO Code of Best Practice allegations of bribery, breaches impact on seafarers’ wellbeing.” “I don’t know whether a to implement and embrace of customs and security rules, anti-corruption practices and drug and fuel smuggling, human procedures. trafficking and illegal cargoes. The ICS said: “Any such action The shipping industry seems would align IMO regulations and determined to adopt a zero- requirements for the maritime tolerance approach to corrupt Corruption erodes trust industry with the United Nations practices, including ones that “ Convention against Corruption have been regarded as ‘normal’ in government and (UNCAC), adopted in 2003, which until recently. In the long term entered into force in 2005, and this should make life easier for undermines the social which currently has 186 Parties.” seafarers, but only if it is completely Mr Platten concluded: “The successful. Until then, masters, in contract. Corruption impedes industry is acutely aware of the particular, could find themselves problem and wants to work with in very uncomfortable positions, investment, with consequent Member States to ensure that without the ‘easy’ option of giving robust anti-corruption guidelines in to demands from officials and effects on growth and jobs are put in place.” port workers. n missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 7 Does slowly really do it?

Slow steaming might lower emissions, but the practice is not a magic fix for saving the planet

By Michael Grey barges and feeder ships to carry it all away and bring in the next load. Somebody worked out that ORE days, more a single 20,000-teu containership dollars” was some- might typically require six sizeable “Mthing we used to feeder ships, 53 container trains, say to hide our disappointment half a dozen barges and a staggering when we heard that there were no 2,645 trucks to handle its cargo in a reliefs for the crew at the next port, major port – all churn out emissions.

as expected, and the voyage was Therefore, mere size is no simple License Michael Kabus/Pexels/Pexels Credit: going to be prolonged. However, solution. even in today’s times, it is likely that It is also suggested that slowing all voyages are going to get rather down might seem superficially longer if ships are forced to reduce attractive as a means of reducing their speeds in order to ‘save the emissions, but it doesn’t do much planet’. to help stimulate the innovation that Slowing down is seen as one of will be needed if the whole shipping the ‘low-hanging fruits’ to reduce industry is to become carbon-free or

the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) even carbon-neutral in the timescale Slow steaming will result in longer voyage times for seafarers that is emitted by marine machinery everyone is hoping for. Serious and on its sea passages. It might be expensive research is needed to recalled that at a recent International develop completely new fuels or Maritime Organization (IMO) better propulsion systems – such meeting, when the environmental as batteries that might propel a sustainability of ships was being large, oceangoing ship or ships that We don’t want to see a return discussed, schoolchildren presented can use the wind or waves to help “ IMO delegates with small paper propel them – or to design new and to the bad old days when boats, each inscribed with slogans cleverer hulls. encouraging them to pass laws Whatever the product is of all low-powered steamers were compulsorily slowing ships down. this amazing research, it is unlikely As a stunt, it was very effective – to be commercially attractive to unable to claw their way off although it is rather simplistic to ship operators if they are going to assume that simply knocking a few be competing with conventionally- a lee shore and ended up knots off of a ship’s service speed will designed ships which are just going automatically make the air cleaner. slower, which will inevitably be wrecked on the rocks cheaper for those ship operators. Every rose has its thorn That is a sad fact of commercial Because you really use a bit less life. A better bet might be cleverer that never gets considered is the listen that you need extra power to fuel on a sea voyage (consumption operations, with ships getting to effect that all this slowing-down provide that extra push when the going up steeply with speed) if you ports when they are needed and might have on the people on board weather turns nasty. slow down, emissions will indeed not speeding on the sea passage ship, who will see their sea passages I always recall a friend who was be reduced for individual ships. to end up lying at anchor for days, dragging on interminably. I always master of a capesize bulk carrier However, if you are going to carry waiting for a berth. remember meeting an old friend telling me of a stormy night when the same amount of goods, you But the weight of public opinion in a New Zealand port after his ship he was blown astern by 60 miles, are going to need more ships to – especially perhaps concerning had crawled across the Pacific at with his engine running at full power. do the work, which may cancel out environmental protection – does about eight knots, compared to We don’t want to see a return to the all these gains, especially when all count these days, with activists our passage of half the number bad old days when low-powered the emissions used in shipyards called in to address the regulators of days. They had water rationing, steamers were unable to claw their and transporting the materials, for of the IMO, and the chances are that the food was almost all gone and way off a lee shore and ended example, are taken into account. speeds are going to be regulated they were gradually going mad as up wrecked on the rocks. That is You might suggest that you can get and the days of people boasting the voyage went on and on. I just definitely not progress, no matter

around this problem to some extent of their fast passages will be over hope somebody might think of these how much CO2 might be saved. n by increasing the size of the ships, forever. In many respects, this goes matters as we go forward into the as has happened in the container against the whole thrust of maritime brave, lower-emission world. See the cartoon on trades in recent years. The problem endeavour – at least since the days There is also the question of safety. page 13 here is that ships are just one link of the clipper ships, when speed to No ship operator who has been told in the supply chain and that if you get the goods to market was initially that the new service speed of a ship by Michael Grey have a ‘super-gigantic’ containership seen as a priority. is 10 knots is going to provide a lot of Para basahin ito sa salitang exchanging its loads in one fell additional horsepower “just in case Tagalog, pumunta sa: swoop, it tends to overwhelm the it is needed”. However, seafarers Impact on board http://bit.do/mtstagalog abilities of the ports, trains, trucks, One aspect of the slow ships debate will tell any naval architect who will 8 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Taking technology by the horns Carly Fields finds out about Kongsberg’s bold steps to take ship autonomy to the next level

ARLY last year, marine Geir Håøy, president and chief technology specialist executive of Kongsberg, said EKongsberg and logistics at the launch of Massterly. “In and ship-management expert recent years, there has been Credit: Kongsberg Credit: Wilhelmsen came together rapid development driven by a to establish the world’s first significant increase in demand autonomous shipping company. from customers worldwide, from With their diverse skills, the pairing the traditional maritime industry brought together the complete and others. When autonomous chain for autonomous ships, ships soon become a reality, from design and development to Massterly will be crucial for control systems, logistics services digitalising the infrastructure and and vessel operations. The new operations.” company was called Massterly, A key activity is the construction playing on the acronym for of the first Massterly SCC, which Maritime Autonomous Surface will be located at Wilhelmsen’s Ships: MASS. office outside Oslo. With the complete autonomous “The SCC will be instrumental shipping picture in mind, Massterly in the testing phase for Yara is focused on establishing the Birkeland when she is delivered infrastructure and services from the yard in 2020,” explains required to design and operate Mr Haugsdal. The Yara Birkeland vessels, as well as advanced will be the world’s first fully- logistics solutions associated with electric container vessel and maritime autonomous operations. will be completely autonomous The aim is for the establishment by 2020, sailing between Yara’s of land-based control centres to Norwegian production facilities monitor and operate autonomous Egil Haugsdal sees Massterly offering services for the entire value chain for autonomous ships at Herøya and the ports of Brevik ships – first in Norway and then and Larvik. internationally. vessel operations, insurance and and its primary focus has been on Massterly is working with the Speaking with The Sea, Egil possible assistance on financing.” working with its first customers University of Southern Norway Haugsdal, executive vice president And as expected in this in Norway: Yara and Asko. Both to define the competency of Kongsberg and president of climate-conscious age, Massterly companies are cargo owners requirements for the operators Kongsberg Maritime, explains is also looking to develop who want to move goods by that will man the SCC. Massterly the project’s goals: “Massterly is environmentally-friendly, safe sea rather than truck in order to has also secured financial support Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen’s joint and cost-efficient logistics that increase efficiency in their logistics from the Norwegian Government effort to develop the autonomous it hopes will enable a shift in chain and reduce their carbon to develop a hybrid electric, maritime market. We will offer transportation from congested footprint. Mr Haugsdal confirms hydrogen-driven container vessel services for the customers’ entire roads to the sea. that Massterly is designing new, together with shipowner Samskip value chain for autonomous ships zero-emission vessels for them and other partners. These vessels – from vessel design and approval Massterly goals that are capable of being totally will not be unmanned but will sail from relevant authorities to When we speak, Massterly has unmanned and operated from with a reduced crew on longer control systems, logistics services, been operational for eight months its soon-to-be-constructed Shore distances in Northern Europe. Control Centre (SCC). “We are also working on the Extra help regulatory side,” Mr Haugsdal In the time that has lapsed since continues. “Together with Massterly’s creation, Kongsberg Norwegian maritime authorities, has made a significant purchase There will still be a the coastal administration and that supports its autonomy “ DNV GL, we need to demonstrate ambitions. On 1 April, 2019, requirement for human how an autonomous vessel is the European Commission gave as equally safe, or safer, than a its approval for Kongsberg’s interaction and seafarer conventional vessel.” acquisition of Rolls-Royce “Autonomy and remote Commercial Marine (RRCM), skills will still be highly operations are an important the marine technology arm of development for the maritime aerospace and defence giant needed, even though the industry and Norway’s lead has Rolls-Royce. The purchase gives been made possible as a result Kongsberg access to Rolls- nature of the job may of close co-operation between Royce’s marine propulsion, deck the Norwegian maritime cluster machinery, automation and change and the Norwegian authorities,” control product lines. However, missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 9

most pertinent to Massterly’s safety levels and quality of life goals, it also transfers Rolls- for those working on board,” he Royce’s Ship Intelligence activities says. “It is only when technology – which have focused heavily on is supplemented with domain Credit: Kongsberg Credit: new technology for remote and knowledge, human insight and autonomous vessel operations. human experience that we get With the acquisition of RRCM, the best results.” Kongsberg is now represented in As he sees it, seafarers should 40 countries and has more than not be too worried about their 11,000 employees and an annual jobs: unmanned vessels will turnover of more than NOK22bn. only be applicable for short “Because of the acquisition, the sea shipping in the medium- group is even better positioned term – and as an alternative to to respond to important trends trucks, tunnels and bridges more and to be a leading innovator in than an alternative to existing the maritime industry,” says Mr vessels. That said, all industries Haugsdal. “Digitalisation and and occupations must adapt to electrification are transforming the Fourth Industrial Revolution the industry, and with Massterly, in some way, he adds, and learn Wilhelmsen and Kongsberg are how to use data and technology joining forces to take the next step to improve safety, efficiency and in autonomous shipping.” their environmental footprint. With all this talk of autonomy, The world’s leading maritime Massterly’s objective is establishing land-based control centres to monitor and operate it could be easy to forget the universities are already looking autonomous ships humble seafarer who still relies at how they could change their on manual ship operations for curriculums to include training in industry; the use of autonomy industries quickly developing his or her employment today. Mr digital skills, cybersecurity and so for surveying and military use has their autonomy solutions, the Haugsdal vehemently states that on, in order to futureproof their been ongoing for a number of time is ripe for commercial that isn’t the case. There will be students. years. What is new is the hunger shipping to take advantage of change, he says, but “there will In a parting note, Mr Haugsdal from shipowners and cargo cross-industry learning and still be a requirement for human points out that MASS is not owners for greater autonomy. move forward on its autonomy interaction and seafarer skills strictly new to the maritime With the automotive and airline journey. n will still be highly needed, even though the nature of the job may change”. He foresees alteration in the size and composition of crews as a result of autonomy and remote operations but adds that there will be a considerable Wilhelmsen Credit: number of additional jobs created ashore which will call for seafaring experience. Massterly has undertaken in-depth studies of the roles of personnel on board and how these roles might change as it works to facilitate the operation of autonomous ships. “I believe it is very important to know exactly what you are trying to achieve as a company before developing and putting to use new systems and technology,” says Mr Haugsdal. “If accidents increase due to rapid digital change, technology is not contributing as part of the solution but rather as a problem itself.” History in the making Safety improvements Mr Haugsdal also sees benefits THE Yara Birkeland, being built by Yara, the world’s of 120 teu, a deadweight of 3,200 tonnes and a length for seafarers from autonomous leading fertiliser company and a provider of overall of 80 metres. technology. environmental solutions, will be the first to benefit Norwegian shipbuilder VARD was selected for “I believe our technology is from Massterly’s Oslo-based Shore Control Centre. construction in December 2018 and the vessel is part of the solution as it has the As the world’s first autonomous and zero-emission expected to launch in 2020. Initially it will be manually potential to reduce the extremely container vessel, the Yara Birkeland promises to replace operated and will gradually move from manned high workloads that seafarers 40,000 truck journeys a year. It will have a cargo capacity operation to fully autonomous operation by 2022. n face and thereby increase 10 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Broadening the Mission’s reach

Kate Jones meets a new Mission regional director who is looking forward to helping abandoned seafarers

HE Revd Canon Andy “It’s great doing the ship Bowerman, The Mission visiting, but perhaps the thing T to Seafarers’ new regional that I felt I had most to offer director for the Middle East in was advocating on behalf of and South Asia, has an evident those who were facing injustice,” zeal for life and travel. When he says. “I have, since leaving we speak via telephone, he’s university, been committed to on the move, travelling to the raising the voices of those who Dubai Mall – he has re-located are not heard and to challenging to the UAE emirate with his wife injustice in its many forms. I look for his new Mission role – for a forward to continuing this across meeting. The week before, he the Gulf and South Asia.” had been in the Egyptian city of Port Said, celebrating 130 years Enjoying variety since the arrival of the Mission Prior to his MtS appointment, and exploring how the chaplaincy Canon Bowerman had there might be re-opened. undertaken a variety of different It was two years ago, in roles. Originally training as a 2017, when Canon Bowerman, social worker, the early days who became a Christian as a saw him working with people teenager, first had contact with with disabilities and those the Mission. He was working for living with HIV and AIDS. In the head office of the Anglican the mid to late 1990s, he spent Communion – of which the several years living in Pakistan Mission is a mission society – and working with a small non- and was doing some work in governmental organisation in the and around the Middle East. The Revd Canon Andy Bowerman is a welcome addition to the MtS family fields of sexual health and HIV There, he came across some of and AIDS. He recalls an occasion the Mission’s work. This led the the region,” Canon Bowerman do it, so it took quite a while to while working in sexual health Mission’s Secretary General, comments. He took the MtS prayerfully consider whether this when he and a translator were Andrew Wright to make contact invitation to heart and looked was the right move,” he recalls. arrested and held overnight to discuss the possibility of him for a sign that this was where One of the things that by the Taliban on suspicion of replacing the Revd Dr Paul Burt, he was most needed. “For me, potentially really drew him smuggling pornography into who was retiring. being a priest, it was about just to the Mission was its work Afghanistan. “The Mission is really strong checking that God wants me to with abandoned seafarers – After returning to the UK, in the UAE, but they want to get come and do it, not just that the particularly advocacy work across Canon Bowerman helped more impact in other parts of Mission wanted me to come and the Middle East. churches participate in inner- city regeneration initiatives, The Mission is looking once again at places where something he describes as “all it has worked in the past, including Port Said the rage” in the late 1990s and early noughties, and after training as a vicar in Oxford, moved to Bradford for around eight years, with his first main Church job involving starting a church inside a restaurant. After that he moved to Dorset and became rector of a large parish on the coast, and he also opened an ice cream parlour and youth drop-in centre there. During his involvement with the Anglican Communion head office he helped lead on international development. Academically, Canon Bowerman, who was born and brought up in the UK, studied for a Bachelor of Science in Sociology – at the University of Southampton between 1985 and 1988, before missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 11

undertaking a Master of Social is a busy one. The job involves Work qualification at Brunel supporting the team for his University, London from 1991 region (consisting of chaplains, to 1992. From 1999 to 2001, he welfare workers and office staff), We’re really looking at how … trained as a vicar by studying visiting ships, trying to advocate for a Theology Diploma at the for seafarers who have been we“ re-imagine some of the old University of Oxford, and from abandoned at anchorage, and 2012 to 2015, he undertook looking to explore new ports places where we’ve worked a Master of Arts degree in in his area where welfare and Sport and Pastoral Care at the support might be able to be University of Gloucestershire. offered. for 30 years or more, so I think Another issue is that with Canon Bowerman has other “For us, we’re really looking we’re able to build on that legacy security “rightly tight” around strings to his bow too. He’s been at how we re-imagine some and perhaps help people see that ports, it can sometimes be hard a trustee of various different of the old places where we’ve the Mission is just as relevant, to access vessels to provide organisations, including Christian worked, and so we’re re-looking maybe even more relevant, today necessary welfare services. An relief and development agency at Port Said, we’re looking as it was when it was founded additional challenge concerns Tearfund, and has served as a at Basra in Iraq, we’re looking 160-odd years ago.” resourcing what he wishes to sports chaplain for the past 15 at old places that we used to Still, he acknowledges that do. seasons, first at Bradford City work in like Beirut and Jaffa in there will be trials to overcome. “I’m one for always having lots Association Football Club and Israel and new opportunities Canon Bowerman believes of ideas, but resourcing those then at Southampton Football in places like Jeddah and Saudi the language barrier will be a ideas will be a challenge,” he Club. As well as having four Arabia,” he says. “Personally, I big challenge in his new role says. He adds that he is looking children, Canon Bowerman and have a real heart for Pakistan, so in the Middle East and South forward to helping seafarers who his wife have also been foster I’d love to get back into Pakistan Asia. Though English is the have been abandoned and letting carers, taking in 18 children – probably into Karachi – but language of the sea, he says, them know that somebody is over the past few years. Sport, that may be a year or so down most of the seafarers he works thinking of them. reading and cooking are among the line.” with are Indian, Filipino and “Whether I’m taking them his hobbies. As he explains, the Mission has Pakistani and the majority of supplies or I’m speaking to a a long history across both South the authorities he works with judge on their behalf, I’m making Getting to grips Asia and the Middle East, which speak Arabic or another Asian sure they’re not forgotten and Canon Bowerman’s new role, brings with it advantages. language, so communicating will that in my eyes, they’re definitely which he began in October 2018, “We’ve been in the Middle East be challenging. not forgotten by God.” n

The Mission would like to build on its legacy in the Middle East 12 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Stanzas shaped by the seas A multitude of poems across the literary canon have been dedicated to the waves, finds Kate Jones

ONSIDERING the fact that around 71% of Earth’s C surface is covered by water, it is unsurprising that some of the world’s most celebrated poets have turned to the sea for Credit: Laughing Raven, CC0 Laughing Raven, Credit:

inspiration. License - Pixabay Pexels Credit: Writers from Shakespeare and Dickinson to Larkin have penned compositions about the sea – though if you are willing to do a little exploring, less well-known poets with words about the waves can also be found. Below is a list of poems connected to the sea, with both positive and negative associations, to get you started. The Sea in Poetry The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge How many sailors to sail a ship? “i could not contain myself any Sea Calm by Langston Hughes The Sea by Barry Cornwall by Carol Ann Duffy longer…” by Rupi Kaur On the Sea by John Keats I started Early – Took my Dog by The Sea is History by Derek Sea-Fever by John Masefield Castaways by Brian Bilston Emily Dickinson Walcott Ithaka by Constantine P Cavafy Beyond the Sea Columbus by Joaquin Miller The Dry Salvages by T S Eliot The Sea by Lewis Carroll by Thomas Love Peacock In Cabin’d Ships at Sea by Walt Seafarer by Archibald MacLeish At the Sea-Side by Robert Louis With Ships the Sea Was Whitman Two Lovers and a Beachcomber Stevenson Sprinkled Far and Nigh Full Fathom Five by William by the Real Sea by Sylvia Plath To the Sea by Philip Larkin by William Wordsworth Shakespeare The Seafarer – anonymous By The Sea by Christina Rossetti The Sea by Dorothy Parker n Sudoku The aim of Sudoku is to fill in the empty cells so that each column, row and 3x3 region contain the numbers 1 to 9 exactly once. Find the answers to both puzzles in the next issue. MEDIUM LEVEL TRICKY LEVEL BEGINNER LEVEL EASY LEVEL SOLUTION (ISSUE 259) SOLUTION (ISSUE 259) Credit: www.sudokuoftheday.com Credit:

Jumble Can you correctly unscramble these anagrams to form four words? If so, send your answers by email to [email protected] by August 31, 2019. All correct answers will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Mission to Seafarers’ Goodie Bag, containing a pen set, mug and handmade woolly hat. Please include your answers, name, the vessel you are working on, your nationality and finish this sentence: “I like The Mission to Seafarers because…” 1) ANNICEITTOR 2) ETEMRENOWPM 3) ESPTS 4) ANINNMG May/June solutions: 1) ABATEMENT 2) REEFER 3) VANNING 4) WAYBILL missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 13

See Michael Grey’s article on page 7

“Cheeky blighters want to offer us a lift!” Get in touch!

Have you got news or views that you’d like to share with The Mission to Seafarers The Sea? Please get in touch: [email protected]. The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.5 million men and women who face danger every day to keep Verity Relph, The Sea, our global economy afloat. The Mission to Seafarers, St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, We work in over 200 ports in 50 countries caring for seafarers London, UK EC4R 2RL of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.

T: +44 (0)20 7248 5202 Through our global network of chaplains, staff and volunteers, E: [email protected] we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers’ centres and a range of The Sea welfare and emergency support services. Editor: Carly Fields News: David Hughes The Sea is distributed free to seafarers through chaplains and Assistant Editor: Kate Jones seafarers’ centres.

www.missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews missiontoseafarers 14 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews In the same boat, but ashore

Kate Jones learns about the organisations helping those left behind when seafarers join their ships

HEN you marry greeting or farewell, the sculpture a seafarer, get testifies to the poignancy of a life at “Wready to be in a sea – which can involve both good long-distance relationship all, or and bad times. perhaps most of, your life.” That’s Where the sculpture is located, one online response to a person there are ties to an organisation asking about how difficult it is to that helps those who, like the wed someone who works on the woman and the little boy, have waves. been left at the shore. Both Seafaring can be tough for those Svetlana and Maria are members choosing to follow this career path. of the Sea Stars, an all-female However, it can be all too easy to organisation of wives, mothers, forget that the stress of working on sisters and daughters of seafarers the waves isn’t only felt by sailors. from Ukraine. The group, which When seafarers join their ship, it’s first met in March 2018, was put not just the land they leave behind. together by the Marine Transport Often, going away for a job at sea Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine also entails saying goodbye to (MTWTU), an association with over partners, children and other loved 78,000 members. ones for long periods of time. In this Eastern European nation, Svetlana Alli-Ippa, whose seafaring is big business. According seafaring husband Alexei is a to the International Chamber of second engineer, is one of those Shipping (ICS), Ukraine is estimated left behind. When her spouse is to be one of the five biggest supply away at sea, life is far from easy. Maria Tariverdieva from the Sea Stars nations for seafarers (as regards “It is very hard, especially when ratings and officers) in the world. you are left at home with two was tough, she says, and even striking in its quiet beauty. Stood During Soviet times, the country’s children,” she says. “We have a now, she still bears the absence looking out to sea is the wife of Black Sea Shipping Company was, family dynasty of seafarers: I used of her partner “bravely”. For Maria, a sailor, holding a young child in for several years, the biggest to wait for my father from the ‘seafarer’s wife’ is a profession just her arms – seemingly a little boy shipping company globally. voyages, and now I wait for my as much as that of ‘seafarer’ – and, – as he balances on the railing by Oleg Grygoriuk, MTWTU’s first husband.” like sailing, it demands patience which she is stood. The boy, with vice chairman, says a vital part Maria Tariverdieva – whose and endurance. one hand on the lady, reaches his of that shipping company was husband, Alexander Naumov, is arm out towards the expanse of an active group of seafarer’s a bosun – also has to cope with Helping those left on land water in front of him – perhaps to wives who were involved in the the unique lifestyle of being a At the Black Sea’s Port of Odessa, wave, perhaps as if to reach out social life of the company, who seafarer’s loved one. When her Ukraine’s biggest seaport, there is towards the object of the pair’s organised activities for sailors and spouse started going to sea, it a monument that is particularly attention. Whether it symbolises their families and who shared their life experience of having seafarers in the family with those younger than themselves. However, as the Black Sea Shipping Company fell into decline, so did the women’s group. The MTWTU, which has a lot of contact with seafarers’ wives, decided to remedy the situation and “unite the active wives of seafarers”. From the outside looking in, the Sea Stars look like your average, if slightly extra-special, social organisation. Activities have included masterclasses from winners of MasterChef Ukraine and community initiatives such as litter-picking and orphanage visits. However, the group, whose members range in age from 25 to 60, is more than just your average club. Speaking to Svetlana and Members of the Sea Stars with MasterChef Ukraine winner Evgeniy Klopotenko Maria, it is clear that it represents missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 15

a network of care and empathy – a personnel, has been in existence place of understanding for women since 1933. For relatives of linked by the common thread of a fishers, there’s even a women’s seafaring relative. Svetlana talks of choir. Called The Fishwives Choir the support she has received from I have gained not only a and based in the UK, it performs involvement in the group, as well as “ shanty-inspired modern folk the new connections she has made, songs. However, ‘use it or lose it’ while Maria says that joining the friend or a group … but is a phrase that springs to mind Sea Stars means that a person is with all these types of group never alone when their husband a family in light of the fact that the free is at sea. The group, she claims, is online network SeaWives, whose fun and supportive and can always and she finds being away from her The network – which also partners included the Mission and be relied upon. spouse very hard, especially as she includes seafarers in its activities the Sailors’ Society, has seen the “Participation … gives possibility has two young children to raise. whenever they are home – also firm that ran the network dissolved to meet new people to exchange When her husband is at sea, a lot is allows her to explore and share her because of a lack of funding. different emotions, celebrate missing, she says. However, she says, talents and abilities, Brigitte adds. There’s also the question of successes and assist in case of MtS Ph FN has provided her with “In the absence of my husband, gender. The overarching image need.” all the love and support she needs they help me in every way they can emerging from the research for “We try to be … active seafarers’ in her spouse’s absence. Network and have supported me whenever this article seems to be one of wives who always support initiatives organisers, Brigitte says, treat each I’m having issues, and they are a wife staying ashore while her of the trade union,” Svetlana member of the organisation like one always open and ready to give me husband is at sea. Of course, explains. “We participate in the of their own family (she refers to Ms counselling and advice to overcome there will always be people left union-organised activities and also Servañez Jose as a mother to the such issues,” she says. “They are behind as long as seafaring exists, arrange events ourselves … and, group) and provide “refuge, love, always ready to lend a helping hand regardless of gender, and these of course, we support each other, care and support”. and I am forever grateful.” people always potentially stand we communicate and we enjoy our The organisation often goes “Many of the seafarers and to benefit from an organisation friendship.” above and beyond the call of duty: their families are very happy that catering to their lifestyle. However, recalling a hospital admission for there’s now the MtS Ph FN in the it would surely benefit everybody Around the world both her mother and her son, Philippines,” Ms Servañez Jose says. if efforts were made to keep all Another of the ICS’s five biggest Brigitte says the network visited “This really inspires us as well.” support organisations away from seafaring countries and the world’s both of them and helped out, with the idea of ‘man goes to sea, largest ratings supplier is the members using their own funds to Help at hand woman stays at home’ and to Philippines. Here, The Mission to provide assistance financially. The Sea Stars and the MtS Ph encourage women to go to sea just Seafarers has established its own “In this group, I have gained not FN are not the only groups out as much as men do. Regardless of group for seafarers’ relatives – the only a friend or a group … but a there for those with loved ones this, though, it is clear just how Mission to Seafarers Philippines family that is always there … not at sea. In the UK, The Watch much organisations like the ones Family Network (MtS Ph FN). The only in good times but, especially, Ashore, an organisation that offers above help those who have to face organisation was founded in 2015 in our worst and darkest days,” she friendship and support to families the prospect of a family member with the aim of caring for Filipino says. and partners of Merchant Navy being away at sea. n seafarers away at sea and their families at home. The organisation’s programme co-ordinator, May Servañez Jose, explains that the network offers a number of services: for example, social services, pastoral care, advocacy and promotion of the maritime industry and seafarer health. Member and volunteer Brigitte Cabarron says that the activities of the group, where all are welcome, are too numerous to mention, but they include family gatherings, teambuilding events and even a Christmas party, as well as help, support and information for seafarers and their families on family, legal and financial matters. Free legal advice, counselling and seminars are provided by the organisation. “We have conducted seminars about rights and teambuilding activities,” Brigitte notes, later adding: “We also do home visits with seafarers’ families and provide counselling.” Brigitte’s husband is a seafarer, The Mission’s Ben Bailey catches up with the Philippines Family Network 16 theSea | Jul/Aug 2019 missiontoseafarers.org missiontoseafarers FlyingAngelNews Who is my real master? Mission chaplaincy assistant Miranda Peters reflects on the addictive nature of mobile technology

AVE you ever felt that stomach-dropping, mini- Hheart attack-inducing, A prayer for seafarers palm-sweating moment of panic when you reach into your pocket Father God: and can’t find your phone? I had I thank you for the gift of technology one of these moments recently and it got me thinking about how And the way it allows me to communicate: much I depend on my mobile in With my family when we’re far apart, my daily life. It’s the first thing With the goings-on of the world outside my ship, I look at when I wake up in the With friends old and new. morning and the last thing I check I pray that you will give me the wisdom License TheDigitalWay/Pixabay/Pixabay Credit: before I go to sleep. My phone is basically an extension of myself. to use this media for good I think for those at sea and those And resist letting it become my master. Miranda Peters vows to use her phone in far away from home, attachment In Christ’s name, Amen a way that doesn’t take her away to a phone is partly a symptom of from reality being apart from loved ones. I live on a different continent from the from the reality of life. I am lawful for me, but not all things a way that helps me maintain rest of my family, and for me, my disappointed to see myself are helpful. All things are lawful communication with loved ones phone represents a way to talk, turning to my phone for comfort for me, but I will not be dominated but doesn’t take me away from in real time, to those who mean or distraction when there are by anything.” reality. I challenge you to go an the most to me. real people within arm’s reach. I’m conscious that with this entire morning without touching My phone enables me to This dependence on my phone kind of addictive technology, I your phone and observe the way do amazing things, but it also reminds me of a Bible verse from must resist letting it become my it changes your interactions with sometimes takes me away 1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are master. I must use my phone in those around you. n Sino ang aking maestro? Nagmuni-muni si mission chaplaincy assistant na si Miranda Peters sa nakaka-addicti na gawi ng mobile na teknolohiya

ARAMDAMAN mo na ba iyong nakasisindak, Isang panalangin Nnakapang-aatake sa puso, nakapamamawis ng palad na sandali ng pagkataranta kapag dumukot ka para sa mga marino sa iyong bulsa at hindi mo mahanap Diyos Ama: ang iyong telepono? Nagkaroon ako Nagpapasalamat ako sa Iyo para sa handog na teknolohiya ng ganitong mga sandali kamakailan At sa kung paano akong pinapahintulutan nito na makipag-ugnayan: lang at napaisip ako kung gaano ako Sa aking pamilya kapag magkakalayo kami, umaasa sa aking mobile sa aking Sa mga nangyayari sa mundo sa labas ng barko,

pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ito ang Sa mga dati at bagong kaibigan. License TheDigitalWay/Pixabay/Pixabay Litrato: una kong tinitingnan kapag gigising Nagdarasal ako na bibigyan mo ako ng karunungan upang gamitin ang media na ito sa mabuti ako sa umaga at huling bagay na Sumusumpa si Miranda Peters na gagami- At labanan na hayaan itong maging aking maestro. aking tinitingnan bago ako matulog. Sa ngalan ni Kristo, Amen. tin niya ang kanyang telepono sa paraan na Ang telepono ay pangunahing hindi maaalis sa kanya sa katotohanan ng karugtong ng sarili ko. Naisip ko iyong mga nasa dagat ng aking telepono na gumawa ng 1 Corinthians 6:12: “‘Ang lahat ng Dapat kong gamitin ang aking at malalayo sa kanilang tahanan, mga kagulat-gulat na bagay, ngunit bagay ay naaalinsunod sa batas telepono sa paraan na matutulungan ang pagkagiliw sa isang telepono paminsan-minsan ay dinadala rin para sa akin,’ ngunit hindi lahat akong magpanatili ng komunikasyon ay bahagyang isang sintomas ng akong papalayo sa katotohanan ng ng bagay ay nakatutulong. ‘Ang sa mga mahal sa buhay ngunit pagiging malayo sa mga mahal sa buhay. Nadisismaya akong makita lahat ng bagay ay naaalinsunod sa hindi ako dadalhing papalayo sa buhay. Naninirahan ako sa ibang ang aking sarili bumabaliang sa batas para sa akin,’ ngunit hindi katotohanan. Hinahamon ko kayo kontinente sa iba ko pang pamilya, aking telepono para sa pagdamay mapangingibabawan ng anumang na humayo sa buong umaga nang at para sa akin, ang aking telepono o distraksyon samantalang may bagay.” hindi hinahawakan ang iyong ay naglalarawan para makapagsalita, mga tunay na tao sa malapit lang. May kamalayan ako na ang telepono at obserbahan kung sa aktuwal na oras, sa mga mahalaga Ang pagsandig na ito sa aking ganitong uri ng naka-a-addict na paano nito binabago ang inyong mga sa akin. telepono ay nagpapaalala sa akin teknolohiya, dapat kong labanan na pakikihalubilo sa mga nakapaligid Binibigyan akong kakayahan sa isang bersikulo sa Bibliya mula hayaan nitong maging aking maestro. sa iyo. n