Cadets miss out on sea time due to pandemic restrictions
(Posted on 11/10/21)
Restrictions on crew change and repatriations are impacting cadets at a time when the shipping industry desperately needs to recruit more young people.
Crew travel problems can have a knock-on effect on cadet training by preventing a cadet from reaching their ship placement to gain vital experience at sea or delaying them from returning to continue the next phase of their maritime studies.
During a webinar on Seafarers’ Welfare, hosted by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) on behalf of Jamaica’s Ministers of Transport & Mining and Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, panellists heard how the rotation of cadet berths has become a victim of the Covid-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions.
Captain Devron Newman, Dean of the Faculty of Nautical Studies and Marine engineering at the Caribbean Maritime University in Jamaica, told the discussion that delays in crew changes adversely impact some cadets because they do not have the necessary documentation, such as Certificates of Competency or Proficiency, that a fully-fledged seafarer has to prove their role as a seafarer. The panel agreed that cadets need to be afforded the same designation as qualified seafarers and be given appropriate passage to and from their ship placements.
Urging more nations to recognise seafarers as “essential workers” and allow them to travel to and from their vessels, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Peter Brady, MAJ Director General, said: “There’s an absolute need for crew changes and repatriation. It is critical for them to visit their families to help their mental health, to rest, and to prepare them for their next posting.”
Advising that, at present only about 60 countries have designated seafarers as essential or key workers, Admiral Brady highlighted the need to encourage and influence other member states to recognise the important role seafarers play in the global supply chain and to put in place measures to enable crew changes and repatriations.
The current problems represent “a human crisis that also impacts families at home and should be condemned,” he commented. “This is just not good enough for these people who have done so much for us.”
The panel discussion, which took place on World Maritime Day, also featured a seafarer’s point of view. Third Officer Javed Loza stressed that the mental health of seafarers was a crucial factor that should be prioritised by the shipping industry. “Good mental health makes all aspects of life onboard positive,” he said, pointing out that a good positive attitude to work and life at sea can also have a beneficial impact on commercial shipping operations.
His comments were echoed by Dr Hortense Ross Innerarity, Superintendent of Pilotage with the Port Authority of Jamaica, who has spent more than 30 years in the shipping industry. Agreeing that seafarer mental health and crew changes should be priorities across the world, she told the debate: “We are very fortunate we don’t have more accidents at sea.”
Efforts to encourage more young people into the maritime industry are of prime importance, the panellists all concurred. Captain Steven Spence MAJ Director of Safety, Environment and Certification, spoke of the need to improve the visibility of shipping. He urged all seafarers to help raise awareness of their profession and called for shipping companies to invest in cadet training to sustain the industry, while advising that cadets need to show loyalty to companies willing to train them.
Latest News
LR and Marshall Islands certify Helm CONNECT electronic record books
(Posted on 14/11/25)Helm Operations has announced that nine electronic record books within Helm CONNECT Logbook have been... Read more
Sailors’ Society launches increased support for Chinese seafarers
(Posted on 13/11/25)International maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society has announced a significant expansion... Read more
NORDEN signs two-year contract with US wood pellet producer
(Posted on 10/11/25)NORDEN has signed a two-year Contract of Affreightment (COA) with Enviva to transport a significant... Read more
Algoma reports strong core results and continued fleet growth
(Posted on 10/11/25)Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three and nine months ended 30 September... Read more
Damen unveils Combi Freighter 5000 ICE
(Posted on 10/11/25)Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled the latest platform in its successful cargo vessels portfolio. The... Read more
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
