Thousands of seafarers from around the world are stuck on ships suffering from “depression and anxiety” because COVID-19 restrictions mean crew changes still can’t take place.
<p>The International Transport Workers Federation estimates there could be as many as 600,000 seafarers affected by <strong><a href=”https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-lockdown-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-changes-across-uk-12013295″ target=”_blank”>lockdown</a></strong> measures, with half of them facing financial ruin.</p><p>They traditionally work fixed-term contracts but many governments have tightened up regulations during the <strong><a href=”https://news.sky.com/topic/coronavirus-8483″ target=”_blank”>pandemic</a></strong> and have not allowed seafarers to disembark at some ports.</p><p>Seafarers would usually be on board ships for between six and nine months, but some have now been at sea for more than a year.</p><p>Some are said to have struggled with issues such as claustrophobia while others have missed important family moments such as births and deaths.</p><p>Portsmouth harbourmaster Ben McInnes, who worked at sea for 12 years, said: “There’s going to be a lot of depression and anxiety around the fleet.</p><p>”Everything we do as an island nation has revolved around seafarers bringing goods to the UK and exporting goods from the UK.</p><p>”Whether it’s the car you drive or the fuel it uses, or the banana you peel, that has come here from Colombia via Portsmouth. Everything comes on a ship.</p><p>”And now they are involuntary prisoners on that ship because the ship will continue to run.”</p> <p>Portsmouth International Port kept operating throughout the lockdown on a freight-only basis, though passengers have recently returned.</p><p>One cruise ship docked last week and gave its exhausted crew a daytrip around Portsmouth as a treat.</p><p>Former seaman Charles Stuart, who works as a lay chaplain with the Stella Maris charity, said: “(The seafarer’s) greatest fear is financial uncertainty.</p><p>”Seafarers are tough people and they are used to living in difficult conditions, but the pressure of staying onboard for so long just increases their day-to-day difficulties.”</p> <p><strong>:: Listen to the Daily podcast on <a href=”https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sky-news-daily/id951048357?mt=2″ target=”_blank”>Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href=”https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvMzI4NzI0Ni9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk” target=”_blank”>Google Podcasts</a>, <a href=”https://open.spotify.com/show/3RdXZrbbG3NydLsPYmRSJy” target=”_blank”>Spotify</a>, <a href=”https://www.spreaker.com/show/sky-news-daily” target=”_blank”>Spreaker</a></strong></p><p>Twelve countries including the UK, the US, the UAE and the Philippines struck a deal last week at a summit in London to waive visa restrictions.</p><p>They also agreed to speed up air repatriation efforts.</p><p>Mr Stuart added: “There’s a danger that they will be forgotten. They have been the lifeblood of keeping things flowing, without a break. They are real heroes and deserve our support.”</p>
