Active Seafarers Research Articles

Career attractions and challenges among active seafarers

Career attractions and challenges among active seafarers

Insights on just culture from seafarers and shipping companies in Indonesia: An exploratory study.

Just culture aspires to prompt organizational learning from enhanced feedback by frontline operators. Just culture requires mechanisms to eliminate fear and sanction but not accountability when reporting safety-related issues. Adopted in sectors such as aviation, just culture remains an underdeveloped field in the maritime sector. This study explores how some pre-requisites for a just culture (i.e., ease of reporting, motivation to report, and trust) are perceived and potentially implemented by seafarers' and shipping company safety representatives in Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data in an exploratory study involving eleven active seafarers and four safety managers from shipping companies in Indonesia. The conditions for ease of reporting seem present, at least on paper. Shipping companies receive one to two near-miss reports per month. However, incidents seem to be underreported. It appears that companies are unsuccessful in establishing the motivation and trust necessary to enhance safety event reporting. The study suggests that the concept of a just culture is not well understood among certain Indonesian shipping companies. The main barriers to implementing a just culture relate to hierarchical structures in the industry, frequent crew changes, blame culture, and lack of anonymous reporting for safety concerns.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Hypertension in Ship Crews of Seaports Work Coverage for Poso Port Health Office, Bungku Working Area

Objective: Ship crew as seafarers who work or are employed on board the ship by the owner or operator of the ship to carry out their duties following their position will have limitations in accessing health education, facilities, and infrastructure that support them to maintain their health. One of the non-communicable diseases that contributes to cardiovascular diseases is hypertension. This study aims to determine the risk factors related to the prevalence of hypertension in ship crew at Seaport work coverage for Poso Port Health Office, Bungku Working Area. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 385 participant involve in data analysis. Chi-square analysis was employed to assess the relationship between respondent characteristic variables and independent variables concerning the occurrence of hypertension. Multivariate analysis was conducted on variables that showed an association with hypertension to obtain independent risk values using logistic regression analysis. This research used a 95% confidence level. Results: The prevalence of hypertension in ship crew is 12.73%. Logistic regression results showed that the crew members had an overweight (AOR=15.93, 95%CI: 5.080-49.981, p=0.000) and moderate and heavy smokers among crew members (AOR=2.51, 95%CI: 1.038-6.066), p=0.021) were factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension in ships crew members of hypertension in ships crew members after controlled by aged over 45 years (AOR=22.94; 95% CI: 2.587-203.477, p=0.005) and family history of hypertension (AOR=6.01; 95% CI: 2.741-13.168, p=0.000). Conclusions: Body mass index and smoking behavior among ship crew members are significant risk factors for hypertension in this study, while alcohol consumption and workplace-related environmental stress were not found to be significant risk factors in this research Implication of the research: This research can serve as a reference for determining health programs and more specific priority groups targeted for the prevention and control of hypertension among ship crew members on board. Originality: This study was conducted on ship crew members, legally active seafarers in the operational tasks on ship, whereas most similar research uses the health data of seafarers in healthcare clinics.

The Relationship Between Work-Induced Sexual Abstinence and Psychological Health of Chinese Male Seafarers: The Positive Influence of Job Satisfaction.

The specific nature of the seafaring occupation keeps seafarers away from partners and shore life for long periods at sea. Therefore, seafarers suffer many challenges in the workplace including frustration of their sexual needs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-induced sexual abstinence, psychological health and job satisfaction among seafarers. A mixed-method approach focusing on cross-sectional survey-based quantitative research was used. The sample included 617 Chinese active seafarers who experienced sexual abstinence on board. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to divide the respondents into different groups corresponding to 14 psychological problems induced by sexual abstinence and experienced in the workplace. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify the relationship between tolerance level of seafarers to sexual abstinence and their job satisfaction. Four distinct groups of seafarers, influenced differently by sexual abstinence, were identified, namely "Saint," "Adapter," "Average people," and "Sufferer" clusters. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that tolerance level of seafarers to sexual abstinence was positively influenced by overall job satisfaction, perceived working environment, ability utilization for other jobs, own choice for working as a seafarer and perceived friendliness of co-workers, while it was negatively influenced by perceived job responsibility. The study innovates by examining the relationship between sexual abstinence and the psychological health of seafarers. It also extends the function of job satisfaction, which can contribute positively to the tolerance level to sexual abstinence. Management recommendations to address sexual abstinence issues are proposed to better protect the health and psychological well-being of seafarers and enhance operational safety on board.

Key factors impacting women seafarers’ participation in the evolving workplace: A qualitative exploration

Women constitute a mere 1.28 % of currently active seafarers. This is despite the concerted international efforts over the years to promote female participation in the maritime industry. Previous studies have identified several causal factors for the dismal representation of women in this sector. However, the current disruptions in the maritime workplace, mainly caused by the introduction of digital technologies and automation, have created a novel environment that limits the relevance of several previous research findings. This study aims to address that gap by investigating the factors impacting women seafarers’ participation in the transition period leading to a technology-rich, highly automated future in the maritime industry. This paper is part of a larger qualitative study that looks at workplace participation and learning by seafarers. The data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus-groups conducted among seafarers and other maritime stakeholders. The thematic analysis of the data identified some physical, social, and psychological barriers that impede the workplace participation of women seafarers. Additionally, our analysis shows that the progressive adoption of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) and Shipping 4.0 will play an important role in improving women’s participation in the shipping sector. However, to facilitate this, maritime policy makers and educators need to ensure a level playing field by providing gender-neutral access and opportunities to acquire skills and competences essential in a highly digitalised future workplace. Improving gender diversity is an essential step to align the maritime industry with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5.

Healthy workplace onboard: Insights gained from the COVID-19 impact on mental health and wellbeing of seafarers.

Seafarers' mental health is seriously affected by COVID-19. The pandemic could act as a catalyst for change with respect to seafarers' mental health protection and promotion. The study explores the main factors contributing to the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers. Moreover, elements to help seafarers lessen the impact of the pandemic on their work and life onboard are analyzed, and their role in developing a positive psychosocial environment and promoting a healthy workplace onboard are discussed. The study involved the use of an ad hoc questionnaire and the adoption of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample included one hundred and five active seafarers. Ninety-six percent of the sample stated that mental health is a very or extremely important part of their general health. Seafarers perceive that their mental health has been seriously impacted by COVID-19. Major factors contributing to seafarers' mental health and wellbeing reveal three groups of factors: rest and spare time-related factors, communication/relationship with the external world, and interaction and social life on board factors. Strategies suggested by seafarers for coping with "inevitable" psychological stress produced by COVID-19 and promoting their wellbeing include managerial, emotional, facilities-related (including communication infrastructure), physical, and social elements to promote wellbeing. Economic, intellectual, and spiritual elements also have to be taken into consideration and require further investigation. Building on seafarers' insights and experiences, a healthy environment onboard should cultivate holistically the four main spheres of a healthy workplace (physical work environment, psychosocial work environment, personal health resources, and enterprise community involvement) and the five features of a healthy psychosocial environment (social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual) under all circumstances, whether exceptional or ordinary.

Stepping up: the need for Proactive Employer Investment in Safeguarding Seafarers’ Mental Health and Wellbeing

ABSTRACT In recent years mental health has been identified as a significant issue for the global workforce. In the shipping industry charities and insurance companies have raised concerns about seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing and have suggested a range of largely reactive and behaviour-based remedies and risk mitigation strategies. This paper contributes new data to the existing debates around seafarers’ welfare and mental health by exploring stakeholder and employer attitudes and approaches to the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers working aboard deep-sea cargo vessels, alongside the views and perceptions of active seafarers themselves. Unusually, the central focus is on what seafarers themselves consider to be supportive of their own happiness and wellbeing. Drawing on these two major sources of data the paper recommends a range of practical steps which should be taken by employers to mitigate seafarers’ exposure to a variety of risk factors associated with unhappiness and poor mental health. These recommendations relate to the shipboard provision of communication facilities, food, recreational facilities, shore-leave, work to leave ratios, bullying and harassment, furnishings, officer training and the provision of counselling services.

The identity of the Greek seafarer’s wife. Attitudes and perceptions towards the seafaring profession. The case of Chios Island.

Greece is the dominant force in global shipping and the Greek-owned fleet represents 54,28% of the European Union (EU) fleet in dwt and almost 20% of the world fleet in dwt. Even though there have been many studies for the Greek seafarers, there are no studies for the contribution of the seafarers’ wives to the so-called “Greek shipping miracle”. The purpose of this research is to record and highlight the social profile and the aspects of the daily life of the Greek seafarers’ wives. Furthermore, the research aims to shed light on the attitudes and perceptions of seafarer’s wives towards the seafaring profession. 145 wives of active seafarers, from Chios Island, filled out questionnaires specially made for the purposes of this research. Additionally, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted, in order to analyze and clarify some important findings that were obtained from the completion of the questionnaires.

The Impact of Human Element in Shipping Industry

Today there are less number of active seafarers in our midst, “Besides”, they are the great important element in shipping and slowly this industry is beginning to realize the central importance of seafarers. The crisis is coming and the industry is awakening to the fact it must deal with the human element in its business. Therefore in this paper it is intended to establish priorities to human factor, According to Ergonomics the scientific study concerned with understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. Furthermore by the exploratory study it was observed that human error contributing to 75% & remaining 25% technical failures, According to the study it is reveal that taking risk in work, inadequate training, not following rules & regulations, habitability issues (engine noise, sea sick, fatigue, vibration, illuminations, sleep disturbance, temperature), No team work, lack of communication, lack of application of safety, inadequate knowledge, crew negligence, inattention, overconfidence, work schedules. A valuable ergonomics will safe the human element & increases the productivity. This paper is to predict the outcome of human impact on marine accidents.

Mapping the Archaeology of Somaliland: Religion, Art, Script, Time, Urbanism, Trade and Empire

This paper presents the results of some of the surveys conducted to map archaeological sites of Somaliland and includes almost 100 new and previously unpublished sites. The survey work was conducted by several of Somaliland’s Department of Archaeology staff, including Mohamed Ali Abdi, a Departmental survey officer, and the present author. This report is an archaeological testimony to the social complexity and cultural diversity of this region as a cultural crossroads for millennia, being strategically located on the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. However, the maps by no means exhaust the number of archaeological sites known to us in Somaliland. The region had vast Cushitic, pre-Christian and pre-Islamic Empires that at times formed part of the Himyarite and Sabaean cultures of Southern Arabia, the Aksumite Empire and early Islamic Empires of the Horn of Africa. The coastal populations were active seafarers according to Greek records as well as archaeological remains, linking to the Phoenician and Graeco-Roman worlds. They also formed part of an early global economy including the Silk Road. Islamic Empires of the Horn of Africa show an enormous wealth of long-distance trade—including material from Tang Dynasty to Ming Dynasty China—and the magnitude of some of their capitals such as the ruined town and burials of Aw-Barkhadle.

AIS記録データに基づく避航操船手法の解析

Authors have developed a collision avoidance algorithm for a navigational support system. However, some gaps between collision avoidance behaviours by the algorithm and by active seafarers were found through a series of simulation runs for evaluating the system's feasibility. In order to clear the gaps, therefore, authors analysed collision avoidance manoeuvres those were extracted from one month AIS recorded data of a congested sea area, one to one encounters extracted from AIS recorded data were analysed. In this paper, characteristics of collision avoidance behaviours analysed from the AIS data are described and concepts applying the characteristics to the algorithm is briefed.

Ship Management Attitudes and Their Relation to Behavior and Performance

The aim of this study was to adapt the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Attitudes Questionnaire (CMAQ) to the maritime domain, to assess the ship management attitudes of junior naval officers, and to determine the extent to which these attitudes correlate with behavior and performance in a naval exercise. CRM attitudes have been shown to be associated with performance in aviation, but it is unclear whether this construct is applicable and relevant to the maritime domain. Participants were 121 active seafarers and 101 junior officers of the German Navy who completed the Ship Management Attitudes Questionnaire-German Navy (SMAQ-GN). Ratings of nontechnical skills and ratings of mission success of the junior officers were collected during a real-world naval exercise. Internal consistencies of SMAQ-GN were similar to those of the original CMAQ and retest reliability was rather high. Attitudes of junior officers toward communication and coordination were positive. Regarding command responsibility and the recognition of stressor effects, positive as well as neutral and negative attitudes were found. Overall, attitudes did not correlate with behavior and performance. Separate analysis of those participants reporting negative to neutral ship management attitudes showed substantial positive correlations of attitudes with behavior and performance. Ship management attitudes play a significant role in commanding ships. The attitude-performance linkage is not linear. Behavior and performance are less effective in officers with negative attitudes and equally effective in officers with slightly positive and very positive attitudes. Ship management attitudes can be used to assess training needs for nautical teams.

Hospitalisations among seafarers on merchant ships

Aims: To study morbidity among active seafarers in the merchant navy in order to clarify possible work related morbidity and the morbidity related to work and lifestyle where possible preventive...

Reconsidering the Cargo Sector's Seafarer Labor Market: A 21st Century Profile of Global Seafarers

This paper analyzes the latest information from a global seafarers database constructed in the Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) at Cardiff University, United Kingdom. The distinction between global and national seafarers will be linked with secondary information on both the international fleet (world fleet register) and country economic profiles. In distinguishing between national and international fleets, the paper adopts the country of economic benefit (CEB) as the criterion for ship identity. By collecting and compiling crew lists from major seaports world wide, the SIRC database is able to incorporate rich information on active seafarers working aboard international trade vessels. The database currently covers the period 1993 to 2002. Crew lists contain reliable and accurate information on both ships (e.g., name, type, flag, and voyage details) and crew (name, age rank, nationality, and date and place of birth). By matching the national identities of active seafarers and the country of economic benefit pertaining to ships they board, the SIRC database offers a means to identify and separate global and national seafarers.

Crew study of seafarers: a methodological approach to the global labour market for seafarers

In the context of the complexity of the global labour market for seafarers, crew study of seafarers (CSS) provides a means to access, analyse and compare information on active seafarers world-wide. This paper outlines the methodological parameters of CSS. It is argued that CSS provides a distinctive methodology enabling the exploration and specification of key characteristics of this labour market, for example: the distribution of world seafarers by nationality; the recruitment preferences of ship owners or managers; the organisation of multinational crewing patterns and the dynamics and constraints behind seafarer movement between foreign and national fleets. The principles and applications of CSS are illustrated by the case of Chinese seafarers, utilising a combination of a crew list analysis and an onboard survey in the port of Hong Kong.

El hábito del tabaco en los trabajadores de la mar de la provincia de Guipúzcoa. Estudio epidemiológico

Smoking is the principal environmental cause of human disease and seafarers are often heavy smokers as a consequence of difficult working conditions. The object of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among seafarers and possible associated factors. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Interviewers administered questionnaires to 834 seafarers between 40 and 60 years of age who were registered members of the marine health and social services authority of Guipúzcoa, whether they were active (working) or passive (unemployed or retired). Expiratory concentrations of CO were also measured. Smokers accounted for 47.5%. Average consumption was 33.9 packs/year (p/y); CO in expired air was 26.1 ppm. Ex-smokers accounted for 23.7% (28.2 p/y; 6.0 ppm). The percentage of smokers was higher among fishermen of the high seas than among coastal fishermen (59.5% versus 38.0%; p < 0.001); consumption of cigarettes of both smokers and ex-smokers (35.9-27.2 p/y; p < 0.001) and mean CO concentration in expired air (18.8-12.4 ppm; p < 0.001) were also found to be higher in this group. Those who had consumed more cigarettes over the course of a lifetime were active seafarers (41.1-30.5 p/y; p < 0.001), but among them were also more ex-smokers (30.8-22.2%; p = 0.04) and fewer current smokers (35.6-50.0%; p = 0.002). Fishing the high seas was the only variable associated with cigarette consumption; being unemployed or retired was the only factor associated with quitting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)