Dispelling the myth surrounding seafarer internet access

Dispelling the myth surrounding seafarer internet access
May 17 2019 http://www.tankeroperator.com/news/dispelling-the-myth-surrounding-seafa...

A new survey from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) revealed that internet access for seafarers for personal use on board ships was more widespread and available than previously thought.

In addition, it was found that the positive benefits associated with internet access outweighed the perceived safety concerns around this technology.

The responses to the survey, which was carried out with support from the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA), indicated that seafarer internet provision for personal use may have improved their mental health and well-being, according to 60% of respondents and the morale of seafarers in the company (69% of respondents).

Some 82% of the organisations who responded provided personal internet access for seafarers. Despite industry concerns that internet access may negatively impact upon seafarers obtaining adequate rest and sleep during periods available for rest, 85% of the companies reported that this was unaffected or improved.

Similarly, whilst there have also been concerns expressed as to whether access may negatively or positively impact upon their work, 96% of companies reported that performance had not deteriorated.

In addition the majority of companies reported that the number of times seafarers sought assistance, due to family or home-related anxieties, remained the same, despite speculation that increased family communications might generate more anxieties about problems ashore.

On another positive note, the vast majority of companies (93%) responded that the number of reported incidences of online bullying and harassment has not increased, despite speculation that greater internet access might expose seafarers.

Guy Platten, ICS Secretary General, said: “This survey provides a very optimistic picture not only of the positive impact of access to the internet for the seafarer, but also of the industry’s readiness to embrace technology that will be commonplace in the future. If you had asked the same operators whether they offered crew personal access to the internet only five years ago the results would have been very different.

“We were also pleased to see that a majority of companies have a written policy related to internet access by seafarers for personal use on board ships. However, it is quite surprising that nearly a quarter of companies indicated that they have not put any written policy in place, and as we move towards greater connectivity, this must be considered a matter of concern in relation to cyber security issues.

Martin Dorsman, ECSA Secretary General, added: "Internet access on ships for seafarers’ personal use is a key factor in efforts to improve the working conditions of seafarers and to attract future generations into the sector – people to whom a world without the web is entirely alien. We have been discussing this topic with our social partner, the European Transport Workers’ Federation, in the European social dialogue

"The results of the survey are very encouraging – both in terms of responses received and the state of affairs they have mapped out. They show that a large majority of companies are indeed providing internet on board for personal use, whilst concerns about possible detrimental effects on seafarers are shown to be largely unfounded. Nevertheless the industry still has some way to go and we look forward to continuing to work with our social partner to encourage best practice," he concluded.

The responses indicated that the two primary reasons for not providing internet to seafarers are concerns about the costs involved (68%) and about the potential impact on rest/sleep (60%).

Responses were received from 276 operators with 11,665 ships, representing 14% of the world’s fleet.