Since the start of the conflict, the International Transport Workers\u2019 union has received about 1,000 inquiries from seafarers on 300 different vessels.<\/span> Photograph: Altaf Qadri\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSince the start of the conflict, the trade union, the International Transport Workers\u2019 Federation (ITF) has received about 1,000 inquiries from seafarers on 300 different vessels. About 20% were from those seeking repatriation. Other concerns were about pay or access to essential supplies like fuel, food and water.<\/p>\n
After the recent attack on Kuwait\u2019s Al-Salmi oil tanker just a few miles away, the seafarer called a helpline for the first time. \u201cI was a bit overwhelmed and I wasn\u2019t sure if I could handle how I was feeling. It\u2019s important to me that others don\u2019t see me cry. It did help, just to vent out all the feelings to a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, there is only so much that advice and reassurance from a distance can do, according to David Appleton, a senior leader at Nautilus, which represents ship staff. \u201cEveryone does their best to assist, but really what you want to do is get people out of the situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to the mental toll that the threat of violence takes on people \u2013 the fact that you\u2019re sitting there almost as a sitting duck \u2013 there is also the uncertainty, and not knowing how long it\u2019s going to go on,\u201d Appleton added.<\/p>\n
The eroding mental health of those on board stranded tankers has reignited calls for shipowners to replace their crews with mariners willing to offer relief. Under maritime regulations shipping companies cannot force seafarers to work in hazardous zones, but there will still be those desperate enough to take up the work.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of our potential relievers are Ukrainian seafarers; the ones who are away from their homes, spending money in foreign European countries because they can\u2019t go back home,\u201d the seafarer said.<\/p>\n
Shipping companies are required to offer double pay to crew working in hazardous areas. They are expected to find those interested in promotion and give them a higher rank to sign on. They will also be looking for those who have been ashore the longest and need the work.<\/p>\n
The seafarer said: \u201cThe only difference between them and us is choice. At least they will be making a choice to come here, regardless of why they choose to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
They hope that within the coming weeks their tanker will be taken to anchorage to allow new crew to take the places of those unwilling or unable to carry on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe captain had an informal conversation with our crew manager, who was trying to get the crew to stay aboard until we reach the discharge port but he immediately shut that down,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in no mental condition to perform any intense task after all of this. It is the hardest situation that I have ever been in,\u201d the worker said. There is no guarantee they will ever return to the sea.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have worked on tankers all my life. To go, means letting go of all I\u2019ve accomplished. But to stay in this work, means there is a chance that I\u2019ll have to return here eventually. I will only be able to make that decision after a few months of being off this tanker. At home,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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