seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Filipino crewman dies, an apparent suicide, on Virgin Voyages ship
May 26, 2020 https://usa.inquirer.net/55291/filipino-crewman-dies-an-apparent-suicide...

MIAMI – A Filipino crew member aboard a Virgin Voyages ship died Friday night, May 22, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Police have boarded the ship to investigate.

The crew member, a 32-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed, died aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, the Miami Herald reported.

Maritime workers send palliatives to stranded foreign seafarers on Lagos waters
Victor Ahiuma-Young May 27, 2020

150,000 seafarers sign virtual global petition on crew stagnation
Sulaimon Salau 27 May 2020 https://guardian.ng/business-services/150000-seafarers-sign-virtual-glob...

There is an ongoing global petition aiming to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of over 150,000 seafarers that cannot leave or cannot join ship crews due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Shipping firm repatriates 8 stranded seafarers whose contracts had ended
27/05/2020 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shipping-firm-repatriates-8-strande...

OWWA charters flights to bring OFWs home to their provinces
Ariel Fernandez May 25, 2020 https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/25/owwa-charters-flights-to-bring-ofws-ho...

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Some 3,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are finally going back to their respective provinces today, May 25, as part of the government’s “Balik Probinsya” program.

Depression, suicide and COVID-19
ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO - May 26,2020 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/313015/depression-suicide-and-covid-19

Suicide reports due to depression are sad manifestations of the negative mental health effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Pandemic anxiety can be overwhelming which if not handled properly may become emotional, physical and economic catastrophes.

Ship managers push for contract extensions as crew change crisis linger
25/05/2020 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ship-managers-push-for-contract-ext...

In the midst of a crew change crisis that has gripped the global shipping industry, a top global ship management company has started pushing the Indian crew on some of the ships managed by it to sign extension of contracts.

Singapore Loosens Restrictions on Crew Changes
05-25-2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/singapore-loosens-restriction...

Responding to the growing demand for crew change arrangements and the rising number of crewmembers stuck at sea, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced that it is loosening its restriction on mariner movements through the seaport.

Kidnapped captain of Portugal-flagged ship freed-Bulgaria
May 25, 2020 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-benin-piracy-bulgaria/kidnapped-capta...

SOFIA (Reuters) - The Bulgarian captain of a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship who was kidnapped along with seven other sailors by pirates off the coast of Benin last month, has been freed, Bulgaria’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

1 missing after cargo ship hits fishing boat
DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA May 25, 2020 https://www.panaynews.net/1-missing-after-cargo-ship-hits-fishing-boat/

BACOLOD City – Authorities are searching for a fisherfolk. His boat sank after it was allegedly hit by a cargo ship in the seas dividing Victorias City, Negros Occidental and Ajuy, Iloilo.

The fisherman was identified as 42-year-old Marlon Adigue Sr., a resident of Sitio Pasil in Barangay VI-A, Victorias City.