seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Fish Factor: Maritime industry recruits Alaskans for seafaring jobs
April 15, 2021

Alaska fishermen displaced by the Covid pandemic are being recruited for seafaring jobs aboard U.S. cargo barges, tankers, towboats, military support vessels, research and cruise ships and more.

The Seafarers International Union (SIU) is searching nationally for 300 apprentice workers on the vessels they are contracted to crew. Recruiters tout Alaskans as being at the top of their list.

Manila crews ‘unavoidable’ as WA exporters forced to navigate COVID waters alone
Marta Pascual Juanola April 15, 2021 https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/manila-crews-unavo...

Iron ore exporters keeping the nation’s economy afloat have no choice but to use crews from the Philippines as coronavirus restrictions make it near impossible to change over staff on West Australian soil.

Missed positive seafarer COVID test costs $175,000
Gary Howard | Apr 14, 2021 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/missed-positive-seafarer-covid...

International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has warned of the importance of checking crew COVID test results after a missed positive caused vessel delays and substantial costs.

UKP&I club concerned for ship’s 25 Indian crew after ‘Ever Green’ arrest by Suez Canal Authority
Ch Sushil Rao | Apr 14, 2021 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ukpi-club-concerned-for-ships-...

Dislodged Suez Canal cargo ship Ever Given held amid $916 million claim
Yuliya Talmazan, Charlene Gubash and Arata Yamamoto April 14, 2021 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/dislodged-suez-canal-cargo-ship-ever-...

The ship's manager called the decision to "arrest" the Ever Given "extremely disappointing."

15 sailors, among them Filipinos, released after Gulf of Guinea kidnap
Agence France-Presse April 15, 2021 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/195197/15-sailors-among-them-filipinos...

Lagos, Nigeria — Fifteen crew members kidnapped from a chemical tanker off the coast of Benin more than a month ago have been released, the ship’s Dutch owners said Wednesday.

PH in a bind, experts warn; DFA summons Chinese envoy
Jeannette I. Andrade - April 14, 2021

MANILA, Philippines — China has put the Philippines in a bind by sending a swarm of its maritime militia vessels to a reef in the West Philippine Sea where Manila would play into the hands of Beijing if it takes no action against the incursion or be portrayed as escalating tension between the two countries if it does, maritime and security experts said on Tuesday.

Seafarers on deck for Covid-19 jab
Genivi Verdejo April 14, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/04/14/business/maritime-business/seafar...

VAWC hanging over seafarers’ heads like the ‘Sword of Damocles’
ATTY. DENNIS GORECHO | April 13,2021 - https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/372520/vawc-hanging-over-seafarers-he...

The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC) or R.A. No.9262, in some instances, can be considered a ‘Sword of Damocles” hanging over a seafarer’s head, specially in support issues.

Filipino seafarers elevated in COVID-19 vaccination priority list - DOTr
Apr 12 2021 https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/21/filipino-seafarers-elevated-in-co...

MANILA - Filipino seafarers were brought higher in the country’s list of COVID-19 vaccine priority groups as their work is considered crucial in keeping the economy alive, the Department of Transportation said Monday.