The Importance of internet Accessibility for Seafarers’ Mental Health
The mental health of seafarers that work in the cruise industry has always been an important topic of discussion among health professionals and leaders in the industry. The fact of the matter is seafarers spend many months on board ships and have little to no contact with friends and loved ones. This kind of isolation can have a profound effect on a person's mental well-being. Studies have shown that such severe isolation for long periods can cause depression and affect sleeping patterns, and can also lead to added stress, anxiety, and even eating disorders. This in turn can make a seafarer lose focus while doing everyday tasks during their work shifts. The degradation of mental health can even lead to suicidal thoughts or worse for some. (WebMD, 2021) Considering the importance of finding a solution to the mental health problem that is prevalent in the industry, a spotlight has been put on the isolation issue as the industry and experts work on a solution to provide more internet accessibility for seafarers.
Some in many countries take for granted the right of having accessible internet. Nevertheless, internet accessibility at sea is very limited for seafarers. Seafarers especially find it difficult to access the internet, either due to lack of signal or simply because they cannot afford to pay the fee for its use on board. These fees that many companies implement for the use of the internet are too high for some seafarers to pay. On the other hand, there are many companies that provide this service free of charge to their seafarers, but not enough. Some would ask; “How does seafarers having easier accessibility to the internet correlate to them having better mental health?” Studies show that having more interaction with coworkers, avoiding isolation, and having more communication with friends and loved ones is key to better mental stability for seafarers. Therefore, having easier access to internet to connect with loved ones can have a significant impact on a seafarer’s mental wellbeing.
Nautilus International, a trade union, conducted a survey before 2020 showing that 57% of seafarers had access to satellite phone calls and personal emails. Of that percentage, only 6% are able to make video calls and very few use it for social media access or to watch tv and news. Around 12% of seafarers had no access to internet at all. (Nguyen, 2017) Basically, a large percentage of seafarers have some form of internet access, but in a very limited capacity. Employer restrictions seems to be a factor to the issue of seafarer internet accessibility. With fears of seafarers accessing content that companies may deem inappropriate, online access is heavily controlled and web pages must be pre-approved. These restrictions hamper a seafarer’s ability to communicate with loved ones via video calls or other online communication options. So with all these limitations, what is happening in the industry to tackle this issue?
Due to the changes that have been made worldwide and the updates in current technology, which allows people to more easily communicate face to face with whom they speak from miles away through a cell phone or a computer, it is high time that the pertinent agencies and the maritime industry allow these modifications to take place within the facilities where seafarers work on ships that have not yet been provided with these technologies or services. This year, the Maritime Labor Convention's Special Tripartite Committee (STC) held a meeting to form an agreement on the right to connectivity for seafarers, which includes the improvement of internet access on ships. The realization of how important connectivity is for seafarers, especially since the start of the pandemic, has shown them the necessity for better internet access.
Currently, most seafarers have access to the Internet when they get off the ships by visiting service centers, like Seafarers House San Juan, which is available for their convenience. We have provided seafarers with internet access at no additional cost to contact loved ones or for other personal use. Apart from our center, internet access outside the ship in Puerto Rico is very limited, some businesses provide Wi-Fi and at the moment there are no cyber cafes in the general vicinity of the port. Apart from our center, seafarers can try visiting ministries, where available, when they arrive at the different ports around the globe.
Seafarers Section Vice Chair, Mark Dickinson stated, “Being able to keep in touch with family and friends isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a basic human right. That’s why we fought so hard for seafarers to be given internet access and to have a mandatory provision in the MLC. A lack of contact with the outside world can have profound implications for seafarers’ wellbeing, which we saw the worst effects of during Covid." It was also asked that if ship owners were to charge seafarers for this internet access, that the price for usage should be reasonable. (The Maritime Executive, 2022). The MLC is an international treaty designed to protect seafarers’ rights and has been ratified by more than 100 countries, who represent over 90% of the world fleet. One of its provisions is that governments, shipowners, and seafarer representatives meet periodically to keep the convention under review and up to date. The latest Special Tripartite Committee (STC) meeting ended in Geneva on 13 May, with agreement on a number of changes including a commitment to better social connectivity for seafarers.
Also on May 16, 2022, a press release published on the itfglobal.org web page named, “Seafarers win commitment to mandatory internet access in international law” , stated; “Seafarers’ groups have won the right to mandatory social connectivity for crews –including internet access – in updates to the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (MLC), but are disappointed that shipowners and governments may seek to charge for it.” (ITF International Transport Workers' Federation, 2022) These changes are very important and essential for the industry to evolve and allow seafarers access to the internet. But the next question would be: "should seafarers pay for the use of the internet or should ship owners provide the service for free? To answer this question, we need to look at the importance of a seafarer’s mental wellbeing to the overall morale of a ship’s crew, this in turn can help in the decision of making internet access easier to obtain for seafarers. Making the service easy to access for seafarers by giving it free of charge could greatly help.
If a seafarer is suffering from depression brought on from isolation, it can later become a safety concern during their work hours. Being able to communicate with loved ones and having easier access to the world outside of their work environment should be a basic human right. If it becomes less difficult for seafarers to acquire internet access on board their ship, it can have a positive impact on their mental state, helping in preventing seafarer depression, bullying, and even suicides. The simple act of being easily able to talk the people they love can make a world of difference. Cruise companies should prioritize the facilitation of seafarer internet access. It is understandably a huge investment for the industry, but the pros outweigh the cons. A mentally healthy crew can lead to a more productive work environment.
Co-Written with Sharon Joubert
References
ITF International Transport Workers' Federation. (2022, May 16). Seafarers win commitment to mandatory internet access in international law. Retrieved from ITF International Transport Workers' Federation: https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/seafarers-win-commitment-mandatory-internet-access-in-international-law
Nguyen, L. (2017, September 6). Internet for Seafarers: Basic Right or Security Breach? Retrieved from Seatrade Maritime News: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/internet-seafarers-basic-right-or-security-breach
The Maritime Executive. (2022, May 16). ITF: Seafarers Win New Connectivity Guarantees in MLC. Retrieved from The Maritime Executive: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/itf-seafarers-win-new-connectivity-guarantees-in-mlc
WebMD. (2021, November 11). Social Isolation and Mental. Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/social-isolation-mental-health