London. UK. / Indonesia. The prevalent issue of poor and abusive conditions for Indonesian migrant fishers continues to be highlighted internationally by local NGOs. Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia has been sharing evidence gathered to further shine a spotlight on fisher's working circumstances, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, which fail to reflect the safety...
Tag: welfare
New Zealand Government drives legislative change in support of Seafarers’ Centres
London. UK. In partnership with the Chair of the New Zealand Seafarers Welfare Board, the Reverend John McLister of the Mission to Seafarers (NZ), Human Rights at Sea is pleased to announce the public policy statement by the New Zealand Government that it intends to amend the Maritime Transport Act 1994 to enable the...
Understanding the Role of a Fisheries Observer
‘‘If an observer discovers things they weren’t intended to know about, they can face intimidation, threats, violence and, in the worst cases, murder.’’ London. UK. Human Rights at Sea today issues the latest in its series of Insight Briefing Notes covering key human rights issues within the maritime environment. Titled 'The Role of a...
OP-ED. Crew Voices: Fearful, Frustrated, Fatigued, Forgotten.
OP-ED 9 June 2020 London. UK. Reporting for Human Rights at Sea and following her first OP-ED on 13 April, ‘A UK Marine Pilot’s Perspective of Seafarer’s Challenges‘, Port of London Authority Pilot, Ms. Ivana Carrioni-Burnett, provides another insight from her recent experiences in UK waters in relation to her interactions with seafarers during...
Alleged Murdered Kiribati Fisheries Observer Family left without Financial Support
London. UK. At sea, fisheries observers are employed to provide oversight of the fish caught by commercial operators ensuring that the catch is correctly logged, and healthy fish stocks are maintained to ensure the sustainability of the world's oceans. Tragically, some fisheries observers are subject the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, work in fear...
Fijian Fishers Exploitative and Dangerous Working Conditions Exposed
"‘Once I was transshipped . I was put into a steel crate (the one they keep fish in) along with my belongings and my papers in a plastic bag. They put floats or buoys around the crate so that it would float; they gave me a torch. It...
New Zealand Seafarer Welfare Providers classed as Essential Workers during COVID-19
London. UK. Maritime New Zealand has designated seafarer welfare representatives as 'essential workers' and provided clear advice for port welfare service providers in terms of their role, available support and the access that they can gain to seafarers. Provided to the Seafarer Welfare Board (SWB) of New Zealand the following advice remains extant at...
South China Morning Post publishes new article ‘Prisoners at Sea’ reviewing seafarers’ challenges during COVID-19
London, UK. The South China Morning Post has conducted an investigation into the ongoing conditions for seafarers on onboard vessels currently stuck at sea during the COVID-19 pandemic, including cases and commentary from Human Rights at Sea. Published today and titled '‘Prisoners at sea’: stuck on board cargo ships, crews find their mental well-being...
Thome Group speaks to Human Rights at Sea about PPE for Seafarers
London, UK. Following the recent highlighting to Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) of concerns from seafarers about lack of access to, and availability of, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while serving on vessels transiting global shipping lanes, the charitable NGO has engaged with the maritime industry most recently speaking with the Thome Group about their...
Seafarers Welfare Board for New Zealand fully concurs with HRAS Report
"The report’s recommendations, which the SWB fully concur with, offer a clear way forward to ensuring that when seafarers arrive in New Zealand ports, they will continue to receive the standard of care and welcome they so richly deserve." London, UK. Following the 16 April publication of the commissioned Human Rights at Sea report...
New Report. New Zealand Seafarer Welfare Centres Lack Government and Industry Support
“It is not something we can sustain into the future. We desperately need the shipping companies, port authorities and all those who profit from the maritime sector to make some financial contribution to the care of crews coming ashore inNew Zealand.” The Reverend John McLister, Lyttelton, New Zealand. London, UK. / Lyttelton, New Zealand. Today, Human Rights at Sea...
VIDEO. Indian Fishermen stranded in Iran without pay and food running low
'After the pilgrims and students then we will come to the fishermen'. London. UK. Human Rights at Sea has been requested to raise the plight of up to an assessed 1000 Indian fishermen stranded in and around Kish Island, Iran, without work and pay since 24 February, and who are now running very short...
COVID-19: Master takes Resolute Stand to Assure Crew’s Safety and Welfare
"The case highlights a number of wider issues which may well shape future conduct of business in light of the emerging and the indisputable threat to life of the COVID-19 virus." London. UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while ship owners and charterers continue with daily business undertaking charter-parties for the movement of goods around...
RMI Flagged Crew allegedly threatened by Owners for voicing concerns of COVID-19 exposure
London. UK. "We, the full complement of the Tomini Destiny are under enormous pressure, fatigue and mental stress due to owners and charterers insisting to perform shipboard operations under duress." Human Rights at Sea has been passed a formal letter from the Master of the Marshall Islands flagged vessel, the MV TOMINI DESTINY, (IMO...
COVID-19: Social Exclusion for Returning Seafarers strains Family Relationships
"Little did I know that the excitement of going home finally after 6.5 months would turn into a nightmare after I landed." London. UK. Over the last 72 hours, Human Rights at Sea has been deluged with Indian seafarers getting in contact with the charitable NGO outlining the challenges they are facing during the...