What It’s Like to be a Seafarer During a Pandemic

In this article, through photos, we highlight the voices of some of the seafarers at the centre of the Crew Change Crisis who for months on end have been unable to disembark their ships because of global port and travel restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These workers are sometimes working well beyond the end of their contracts, in some cases for 12 months and counting, with no guaranteed end in sight – resulting in up to 400,000 seafarers who today, still remain trapped at sea.

To date, multiple interventions have been undertaken by major international organisations (including the UN General Assembly, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Global Compact, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) among others, to address the conditions facing seafarers. The Neptune Declaration, a collective action with over 700 signatories, is a noteworthy step forward, as it calls upon governments and industry actors to:

1. Recognise seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
2. Implement the recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus.
3. Increase collaboration and transparency between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes. 
4. Improve air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers. 

However, as the situation shows little sign of abating, the Crew Change Crisis continues to be a top business and human rights issue, and its implications on seafarers’ rights, their wellbeing, and mental health in particular has underscored the need for charterers, container cargo owners and shipowners to work together to ensure human rights are respected across shipping operations. IHRB has contributed to the UN Global Compact's Maritime Human Rights Risks and The Covid-19 Crew Change Crisis - A Tool to Support Human Rights Due Diligence, and is working on longer term due diligence tools for companies, including a Code of Conduct for Charterers and due diligence tool for container cargo owners.

With up to 90% of global trade carried by sea, seafarers keep supply chains moving, including during global crises like COVID-19. Yet despite the critical role they play, their faces, voices, and experiences have largely been unseen and unheard, and their rights too often unprotected. 

We highlight their stories as a reminder that this is an ongoing, unresolved situation requiring urgent action from companies and governments. Each must act to implement recommendations in line with their duties and responsibilities under the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights, and in accordance with forthcoming UN Global Compact guidance on the crisis.

The photos below are published with the permission of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust – gathered as part of their ‘Still at Sea’ photography competition, to encourage seafarers to share images of their daily lives.

Whilst the sea provides a backdrop for beautiful images, these images taken by seafarers themselves, reveal a glimpse into their highs and lows in the face of the frustrating and uncertain ordeal that is the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essential Workers

Capt. Angelo U Panganiban |  EXHAUSTION Seafarers, being in the front line of the COVID19 pandemic, risking their lives for the industry and uninterruptedly running ships to bring essential goods all over the world, mostly feel helpless, overloaded, or unappreciated. Mark Christian de Guzman |  Warriors of the sea This pandemic time that the world is facing, Sailor's is one of the essential workers that never stop to supply all the needs of the world. Working with fears to the virus would be our biggest problem but a strong and brave Merchant worker do let this fear to overcome their emotions while working. Being equipped with knowledge, skills and courage to do the job is our best weapon to defeat our own fears. Developing camaraderie while working together in this pandemic time makes our life more happy and less of fears, having unity which definitely makes our life easier. No matter what circumstances may come, the spirit and determination of each Sailors will break the walls of fears and loneliness then we will strive harder to grow and reach our own goals in life. Mark Christian de Guzman | Warriors of the sea Most people say being a sailor would be an awesome job, but behind that perspective, many don't know the struggles of every one of us, being apart from their family, critical thinking most of the day and being like a prison in a floating metal is just some of many. As the times go by, the ability of the sailor is being measured and tested to reach its full capability. John Gilbert De Nava | Hard Work It’s hard to be a Galley Steward Potwasher, but for the sake of Family He will not Go home even [though] he miss[es] his family. Bryan B. Biasura | Seafarer Smile Despite of all circumstances, all you need is to breathe and smile :] *painting of ship side draft making in Singapore OPL Anchorage James Dolotina | Heroes of the sea We stay long onboard to provide your needs in this pandemic times. Joyce Ramos Ceruma | Picture of Sanitizing Seafarers are Keyworkers! We continue to carry essential tasks despite facing tremendous challenges, including being stranded on board. Despite all these trials, we have stayed on the job, 24/7. Just like other key workers, seafarers are on the front line in this global fight. Crew members sanitized continuously and where possible, fogged all staterooms, disinfect public areas and at an increased frequency. Seafarers continue to combat Covid-19 and keeping our heads up! We have acquired the adaptability, creativity and determination in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. John Mark D. Dulnuan | Rest if you must. We are humans too! At the end of the day, this deck crew knocked off from their work and I found them resting and cheering each other inside the grab bucket. Maria Carmen Victoria OXciano |  SEAFARER'S POWER NAP We have the Pandemic but these people---Seafarers who refueled the Ship were so kind to us. Some of them were talking to us even if they were so far from were we stayed. They were down there. After several funny conversations with us, I saw one of them who took a "POWER NAP" to recharged his strength too. Again, It was so sunny, the crew were wearing coverall--- Pandemic is there. I took a photo of him and prayed that they may also be okay in this peculiar times. You know life at sea is mixed with happiness and at times sadness, too. Personally, I like working at sea. I like living like this however, it's not that easy. It's part of the calling. Yes. But this time is different. We're also fighting with this Pandemic and we're praying and hoping that all Seafarers are healthy to go back to each families and come back healthy to serve the Passengers who are having their great vacation. For now, let's hang in there. Let's follow the Protocol. Let's be happy we have that time with our family. Let's take this opportunity to have that Positive mindset that we will overcome this Pandemic.

Longing to be home

Capt. Angelo U Panganiban | FRUSTRATION With prolonged crew contracts, never ending cancellations of flights home, many seafarers find it difficult, if not impossible, to strike a healthy balance between their work lives onboard and family lives causing deep emotional frustrations. Zeus Ceasar A. Garrucha | The Thought for Longing August 27,2020: While taking a break from our work, me and my colleague (who is in the photo) are talking about going home because a month from now, our contracts will end and that would mean us, seeing our loved ones at last. Unfortunately, this pandemic (COVID-19) struck the whole world causing a great downfall to the World’s economy and so much delay to our repatriation. It’s easy to feel a bit homeless when you’re travelling. I mean, you’re literally on the other side of the world, thousands of miles away from friends and family. But, even if the house itself is different, the people you love most will be ready and waiting with open arms for your return. There’s something about home, and that is the people we love who reside there, that accepts us for who we are. Anoop Kumar Vaswani | Can't work anymore A tired and drained out seaman after 10 months of long stay on ship. A prisoner of own destiny. Courtesy Pandemic. Unable to go ashore. Hoping to get sign off and go home some lucky day. Anoop Kumar Vaswani | Prayers for relief. Don't know when will be heard. A tired and drained out seaman after 10 months of long stay on ship. A prisoner of own destiny. Courtesy Pandemic. Unable to go ashore. Hoping to get sign off and go home some lucky day. Taehwan Kim | Even so, I’m on my way to you The pandemic has spread across Indonesia. Although I worry about my family that I have left behind, I love them with dignity. If I could go back... Today, again I am devotedly on duty.

Staying Connected

Ruflyn Balili | Single Mother on Board Photo taken last August 19, 2020 It was his 4th birthday and again, I wasn't there to celebrate with him. Luckily I ask[ed] my supervisor if I can go late just to spend time with him through Zoom. Being far from my son is a big sacrifice for me as a mother but I need [to] work hard for him and for my family too. Kristian Cruz | Communication is the key As a frontliner at sea it is important to have mental resilience and coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. The ability to communicate at any time, anywhere and to know that your families and loved ones are safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic is really helpful in every seafarer’s mental and emotional health. Truth be told, struggles are definitely real, but communication is the key. Lauro De Guzman Jr. | "Connected" Connecting at home is the most important thing for a seafarer now. In this new life of pandemic, where seafarers don't know when or how they are coming back home while thinking everyday how the lives of their families will put everything only into hope and prayers. Knowing that your family is okay during these hard times makes our heart calm like [the] sea. So stay strong, stay connected and stay still. I am still at sea while my heart is at home.

Making the best of it

Jake Lester Bodegas | Formidable Comrade To continue to move forward with life onboard and combat all the challenges brought by the pandemic, harmony onboard ship is a great factor in order for every individual to surpass these trials. With every life at stake, a support system to being a formidable comrade is a great tool to help one another survive for no matter how hard this predicament could lead us, hand in hand we can all survive this. Neil Patrick M. Sison | The Cure No single virus can stop a team of individuals who share smiles and laughs over a cup of coffee. Difficulty in breathing? They sometimes experience it due to severe cheesy and funny jokes but they are 100% Covid-Free. As they always say, "Laughter is the best medicine.” King Maru Vasquez | Cook for them I make delicious food not for me but for everyone, if they enjoy it, I am glad even if I skip the meal on time. My desire is to make them happy even in every meal they eat even pandemic makes us different from who we are today. At least food is still the same. It is still delicious. Abhishek Singh Jamwal | Getting Motivation from Harry Potter When your contract is completed and still onboard, you try to use every way in your power to sign off. And then you start getting motivated by Harry Potter. It didn't get me off the vessel, but it got me flying for some time for sure. Ronald Alan Madrid | Memento Vivere - “Remember to Live” Due to the COVID-19 causing lockdown at all ports, crew are stripped-off of their liberty of shore leave. In the photos are crew enjoying and having a swim at the ballasted cargo hold after completion of exchange. This serves as a stress reliever and enhances fellowship among each other even amid the pandemic. Anupam Sharma | Reinvent yourself! We will rise again!! In this Covid times, when the repatriation is so restrictive, keeping the morale high of the crew is very important. Health is wealth and this thing becomes very relevant especially during this Covid times. Exercise sessions on-board together with a proper positive mindset is important to keep up the good spirit which eventually is productive for seafarers health and company values. Happy Augustinus Manuel Rumondor | Sun bathing and doing fishing During [the] Pandemic – could not repatriate. We are doing daily sun bathing – [we] believe it to increase body immunity. And of course I did my hobby, fishing.