Seafarers are silently playing a vital role in keeping us all afloat

As a group of islands, we are particularly dependent on seafarers to keep us supplied with food, medicine, fuel and other essential supplies. Governments across the globe have acknowledged the importance of those who work in the supply chain and have rightly officially designated seafarers as key workers.

It should come as no surprise that as the world fights the coronavirus pandemic, seafarers are silently playing a vital role in keeping us, and every other nation, afloat under extremely and increasingly challenging and unpredictable conditions.

Restrictions on crew changes and quarantine periods are separating many seafarers from their families for even longer stretches of time, at what is already a distressing and unsettling period. I know of one very reputable international company that has had to tell their crews that, no matter how long they have already been on board, nor the circumstances, there will be no crew changes for the next three months. To compound this, many ports now also prevent any shore leave whatsoever, thereby denying them access to shore-based facilities, including health and welfare services.

This situation is leaving many seafarers feeling even more isolated than they already are, depressed, worried about their families back at home, and extremely anxious about when they can – or even if they will – see their loved ones again. The same applies equally to their families ashore.

Here we all are worrying about two-metre safe distancing – and so, to quote the old adage, ‘Worse things happen at sea’.

PETER GILL

Bordeaux Lodge,

Vale,

GY3 5LZ.