Seafarers are 'an essential group of workers'
Port officials climbed aboard the container ship the SC Marigot during its stop in the Saint John Harbour today, to pay tribute and say thank you to the visiting crew as part of the International Day of the Seafarer.
The day, held on July 25, recognizes the role of seafarers around the world in keeping international supply chains afloat, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the past year and a half has been anything but smooth sailing for the already difficult profession, with seafarers stuck aboard their ships for extremely long stretches with no way to disembark unless it was for a medical emergency.
"Many ships' crews work anywhere from three to four months at a time, they go home for a short break – and under international convention their time aboard a ship cannot exceed 12 months," says Captain Chris Hall, the harbour master for the Port of Saint John.
"However due to COVID and all the travel restrictions … many times seafarers could not get off the ship when their contracts expired, and there was at one point 400,000 seafarers globally who were past their 12 month limit."
The captain of the SC Marigot, which was preparing to set sail to New York before heading even further south to Savannah, Georgia – says the situation has improved, though there are still challenges.
"COVID hinders us regarding crew changes, because it's not really convenient to go home, especially if the ports have restrictions," says Capt. Francisco Baguip Jr.
It's estimated that over 19,000 seafarers visited the Port of Saint John last year.
"Ninety per cent of what we consume is moved around the globe on ships," says Port of Saint John CEO Jim Quinn.
"They're an essential group of workers who allow us to have the comfort that we have."
One of the more recent challenges faced by seafarers is getting access to COVID-19 vaccines. The International Maritime Organization has encouraged giving priority access to vaccinations to seafarers.
"The reasons are varied, but most of it comes down to the fact that they're not home for very long, and sometimes the countries where they're from, access to the vaccine is very difficult," says Capt. Hall.
"The other problem is as they're moving around the world for extended periods of time, the countries which they visit do not have vaccines to offer them. So not only are they waiting longer than normal, they don't have access to vaccines like the rest of us do."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.