THIRTY-five years or so ago, one of the main reasons I decided to leave school at the age of 16 and go to sea was the prospect of 'seeing the world'.
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| Pulling out all the stops: International shipowners' organisations and seafarers' trade unions are now planning a joint campaign to persuade governm |
In the event I wasn't disappointed. During my time as a cadet and subsequently deck officer at, almost, the end of the era of conventional general cargo services, I had lots of opportunity to go ashore, to look around and to get away from the ship.
In those days, being on a cargo liner meant lots of time in port. On a half-decent ship it was usually possible to spend quite a bit of time getting to know different countries. Very often somebody from the Missions to Seamen or similar organisation would arrange trips further afield than the nearest bar.
It was an age when Monday-to-Friday, single-shift working was regarded as entirely normal in many parts of the world. Moreover, dock strikes were frequent occurrences, especially in Europe.
My experience was not, of course, shared by seafarers on tankers and bulk carriers. Since the early 70s, working conditions have changed significantly.
On the positive side, leave entitlement is much greater and crew accommodation is much improved. On the downside, there seems little doubt that officers, especially, are expected to do much more, even though the tendency has been to dramatically reduce complements over the years.
Ship turnaround times are now usually measured in hours rather than days and there is little opportunity for relaxing in the often hectic process of loading or discharging. This is generally true of all shipping sectors now.
As a result of the massive changes that have taken place in the past three decades, the advice to anybody now wanting to go to sea to see the world has got to be: 'Don't! Get a nice well paying shore job and take good holidays.'
Nevertheless, seafarers still do get some opportunity to go ashore, albeit perhaps from terminal miles from anywhere. And there still is the occasional weekend in port, or even a week or two in dock for repairs.
But now the presumption that merchant seamen can take shore leave anywhere they call unless there are exceptional circumstances is under attack. This is especially the case in the US where changes to immigration regulations mean that many seafarers cannot go ashore because they can either not afford the individual visas they now require or it is simply impractical to obtain one.
To be prevented from going ashore must be incredibly frustrating. It is not good for the individuals concerned and reflects badly on those who impose such restrictions.
The shore leave controversy has been brewing for several months but now international shipowners' organisations and seafarers' trade unions are planning a joint campaign to persuade governments, especially the US administration, to allow shore leave.
A joint statement from the Round Table and the International Transport Workers' Federation notes that the International Maritime Organisation has chosen maritime security as the theme of this year's World Maritime Day, to be held on Sept 30. Seafarers' and shipowners' bodies plan to use the occasion to lobby governments, including that of the US, plus the heads of the relevant United Nations agencies such as the IMO and the ILO.
The statement says: 'On that day seafarers, their employers and their trade unions will come together to ask governments to allow mariners the hard-earned rest that they enjoy from stepping ashore - sometimes after weeks confined on board ships at sea.
All concerned will join to back the day's aim of encouraging improved security and to remind governments - especially the United States - that this is best achieved by working together, not by treating visiting seafarers as potential terrorists. All participants have agreed that enhanced security will be achieved by cooperation not by confrontation.'
ITF general secretary David Cockroft says: 'The world of shipping is united in its concern that innocent seafarers are being treated like terrorists. Bizarrely, this is happening just as the new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) has recognised their vital role at the heart of maritime security. Shore leave is essential for the physical and mental health of seafarers and for both maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment. We understand the very legitimate security concerns of the USA, but will continue to explain to the many legislators there who are evaluating this issue with sympathy and understanding that it is in that nation's best interests to welcome seafarers and back them in their new responsibilities.'
He adds: 'The entire shipping industry is coming together to fight the corner of the thousands of seafarers around the world who are being denied the feeling of solid ground beneath their feet, sometimes after many weeks at sea. They - and we - are committed to safe and secure seas, and intend to use World Maritime Day to draw attention to this important issue.'
In the same vein, Chris Horrocks, secretary-general of the International Shipping Federation (ISF), says: 'One of the unresolved pinch points created by post 9/11 security concerns is the restrictions placed on the movement of seafarers. The most acute problems have been in the US where, in addition to the frequent denial of shore leave for seafarers, some companies have also been required to pay for armed guards to prevent crew members from leaving the ship.'
He adds: 'In view of the security role that has been conferred on seafarers by the ISPS Code, policies such as denial of shore leave are counter productive to security objectives, generating ill-feeling among those who have such an important security role to play. We look forward to working with our trade union colleagues and will be using World Maritime Day to highlight these concerns.'
The big question, of course is, 'will it make any difference?' On the face of it, the prospects are hardly good. World Maritime Day does not exactly dominate the headlines in the general press. The event takes place just before a US presidential election. Nobody in the US wants to be seen giving the terrorists an opportunity to attack the country through its ports.
Nevertheless, with progress being made on the Seafarers ID Card at the International Labour Organisation, it is possible there could be some movement by the US authorities, and a recognition worldwide that seafarers should not automatically be regarded as potential terrorists.
