In a press statement the SCI welcomes the maritime industry’s sharper focus  on the effect piracy has on seafarers.  Referring to the 237 pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia in 2011, the SCI asks:

What happens to seafarers, held often for months on end, after release from a pirate hijacking?

Their untold stories comprise part of a video interview compilation by the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI)—the first installment released today [21 February 2012] on YouTube—to give voice to seafarers held captive by pirates. .)

Reverend David Rider, Seamens Church Institute of New York and New Jersey

While conducting research for its clinical study of the effects of piracy on seafarers, SCI has heard from many detained by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Those who survive hijackings tell of harrowing encounters and unshakable memories. “Piracy takes a terrible toll on seafarers and their families,” says the Rev. David M. Rider, SCI’s President and Executive Director. “Many suffer in silence.”

Seeking to break the silence, SCI asks seafarers to share their experiences, recording their first-hand accounts of pirate attacks in video interviews. The seafarers relate stories of mental and physical torture, intimidation of both them and their families and drug abuse by pirates while on board. “Those who agree to speak on camera describe something most of us cannot even imagine,” says Rider.

SCI seeks to provide seafarers a platform for sharing in and contributing to the dialogue on post-piracy care. Douglas B. Stevenson, Director of SCI’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights, points out that in the past others have paid scant attention to piracy’s effects on seafarers. “But that’s changing,” he says, “and through the publication of these videos, we hope to add to that change.”

Stevenson believes that through this collection of stories, seafarers will find they are not alone.

CLICK HERE  to see the videos on YouTube.

Douglas Stevenson, Chairman of ICMA, adds:

“Piracy has always captured public imagination—most of which is romanticized,” he says. “We are trying to show the real human impact of piracy through seafarers’ own words.”

Stevenson also hopes that openly talking of experiences helps to normalize candid discussion of seafarer mental health issues. He identifies frequent stigmatization of mental health care and believes it prevents seafarers from seeking the benefits of therapy and treatment. “By not talking publicly about the effects of piracy, we contribute to the silence. It’s time we speak out.”

The Sailors Society organised a “woolly hat” campaign in the United Kingdom for the week of 7th to 13th February, and many public figures donned warm knitted hats to show they care.

In a statement the Sailors Society said:

Seafarers have to battle with the elements regularly, and the now famous woolly hat is welcomed as a gift to those who arrive as strangers in ports around the world. The woolly hat is a practical gift as well as making them realise that someone is thinking about them, and cares.

Local celebrities joined in the Sailors Society’s campaign. 

Sailors’ Society Ukrainian Port Chaplain Eduard Myrmyr knows that seafarers will be grateful to receive both the woolly hats and the gesture of support. He said:

“The gift of a woolly hat after a long journey, so far away from friends and family, is very much appreciated. Many recipients are not only very touched by the generosity, but also by the human element of appreciation; seafarers have long been the ‘invisible workforce’, and hopefully Woolly Hat Week can bring some further understanding of the part they play in our lives, as well as much-needed hats for seafarers adjusting to the cold winter months!”

Robert Wileman, Biblia. Cape Town.

Robert Wileman, Cape-Town based port chaplain of ICMA member Biblia Harbour Mission writes on his blog:

Visiting an oil tanker in Table Bay recently, I was asked by three seafarers for spiritual guidance.  Twelve Philippino crew members asked me for Bibles.

I was approached by one of the crew who had just joined the ship two days earlier.  His luggage had been lost en route. The airline was tracking the lost baggage, but the ship was due to sail. I realised that he would need basic items like a face cloth and a toothbrush. I made up a gift of toiletries and included a woolen cap and scarf as he was heading to Europe. Knowing that he had no change of clothing, I gave him a shirt and trousers of my own.

I was taken aback at his response.  In spite of the insignificance of the gift, he thanked me over and over for trying to help him.

Surely any one of our port chaplains would have done the same!

We stand ready to help all seafarers, as far as possible.

You can follow Robert’s blog at his Biblia Harbour Mission webpage.

CLICK HERE.

Ms Karlshoej, a dear friend of ICMA, writes:

Ms Kimberly Karlshoej

For the past nine years, I have been fully and passionately committed to making a positive difference to people’s lives in shaping and delivering the vision of The TK Foundation, and by engaging with so many wonderful friends and colleagues.

Those of you who know me well will be aware that my work, priorities and motivation have throughout been inspired and sustained by my father’s legacy.  I was particularly aware of the need to preserve and exemplify his values of passionate commitment, a constant pursuit of excellence and integrity, backed up by generosity of spirit, loyalty and pragmatic common sense.

It has been a rare privilege and a distinct honor for me to continue my father’s mission and strive to safeguard his legacy.  I am also conscious of the genuine pleasure and gratitude that I feel when I think of all that we have achieved together. I thank you for your good company, dedication and inspiration and look forward to working with you and enjoying your friendship in the years to come.

ICMA is sad to see Kimberly Karlshoej leave.  We are extremely grateful for her consummate professionalism in granting and managing support to ICMA projects and operations.   Ms Karlshoej’s commitment to the welfare of seafarers will be sorely missed.

The TK Foundation should from now on be contacted via The TK Foundation Administrator, Esther Blair.  Esther’s email is esther@tkfoundation.bs

Administrative Officer of the ITF Seafarers Trust, Tom Holmer, has invited ICMA members to participate in a seminar on seafarers welfare. Tom Holmer wrote:

For 30 years the International Transport Workers Federation Seafarers’ Trust has supported and funded seafarers’ welfare worldwide and it is celebrating this anniversary by looking ahead at the changing needs of seafarers.

It is hoped that the MLC will be ratified in 2012 and come into force in 2013. Title 4.4 of that convention makes provision for seafarers’ welfare.

• Does this mean that we have to change the way it is provided?
• Are there new ways of providing welfare?
• Who is responsible for welfare and, above all,
• What do the seafarers need?

This workshop will be chaired by Peter Swift of MPHRP and formerly of INTERTANKO.

Speakers and participants will come from the ITF Seafarers Trust, Government Representatives, ICS/ISF, IMHPA, ICMA, Seafarerhelp, ICSW, SRI, Welfare workers, IMHA and MPHRP.

PLACES ARE FREE BUT LIMITED so please send email to register to: seminarbooking@itf.org.uk.

Click on the banner pictured here to enlarge it and to read the information it contains on the seminar.