AMSA Seafarers Welfare Advisory Committee

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AMSA Seafarers Welfare Advisory Committee
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Kirki

• 97,000 tonnes, built 1969
• Greek flag tanker, BP charter
• 21 July 1991, Western Australia
• THE BOW FELL OFF!!
• 17,280 tonnes light crude lost.

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Shipping inquiries

• Focus on seafarer welfare came about as the
  result of recommendations coming out of the
  following inquiries
• Ships of Shame 1992
• Ships of Shame (a Sequel) 1995
• Ship Safe 1998
• The Seafarers Welfare Forum, Melbourne in 2000,
  hosted by the Australian Government.
• The International Commission on Shipping Report
  (an inquiry into ship safety completed in 2001)

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Why was NSWAC formed?
What was the nature of the evidence that prompted
the Australian (Howard) Government to assist in
the formation of NSWAC? Why did so many
significant national organisations in the
Australian maritime industry become involved in
the formation of NSWAC?
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Evidence from the inquiries

• The failure of flag states to adequately
  implement IMO and ILO standards has exposed
  seafarers to exploitation and abuse.
• The mistreatment of crews affects the safe
  operation of ships and exposes all who have
  contact with those ships to unnecessary danger.
• The human factors of shipping accidents and
  pollution incidents take on a greater
  significance if crews are fatigued, malnourished
  and under personal or social pressures.

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Evidence from the inquiries

• The abuse and neglect of seafarers constitutes
  both a violation of human rights and a serious
  risk factor for ship, port safety and those
  working in, on, or around such ships.
• Poor quality ships pose a safety threat to human
  lives, cargo and the marine environment.
• Ship safety problems along with crew fatigue do
  impact on port safety and efficiency.

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Recommendations from ICONS

• There is a need for improved communication
  between port agencies who can provide early
  warning of substandard shipping or crew abuse.
• A formal structure to facilitate communications
  should be established nationally and within
  individual ports.
• It is appropriate that port authorities and the
  shipping industry contribute to groups that
  uphold the welfare of seafarers.

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Outcomes of the Seafarers Forum

• Consensus to form a national committee with
  members from Government, welfare agencies, ship
  owners and agents, maritime unions and ports.
• Commitment from welfare agencies to rationalise
  services and facilities.
• Promotion of a network of agencies working to
  improve seafarer welfare.

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Fatigue (long-term)

• Fatigue not only poses a threat to the safety of
  the seafarers themselves, their fellow crew
  members and their ship, but it can also impact on
  the safety and efficiency of port facilities.
• Reduction in crew sizes
• Changes in ship technology
• Shorter turn-around times in port
• Lack of access to welfare services (security
  issues)
• Increased use of multi-national crews
• Recruitment of poorly trained and unqualified
  crews
• Additional onboard procedural duties (security)
• Increasingly longer tours of duty missing home
  and family

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Seafarer needs

• Key welfare issues (as identified in the 2007 ITF
  report Port-based Welfare Services for
  Seafarers) are
• Seafarer access through port facilities (this
  after 5 years implementation of the ISPS Code)
• Transport to shops / downtown / seafarers
  centres
• International phone access and cheap phone cards
  and
• Internet and email access.

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What is a ship?

• A ship may be defined in 3 ways
• A transport vehicle
• A place of work
• A social system

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Categories of violent death

• Fatal ship accidents loss of ship leading to
  injury and death.
• Work fatalities tripping, falling, slippery
  decks, falling cargo, but no damage to ship.
• Social casualties suicide, homicide, drug
  overdose.

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Safety Culture?

• There is a close correlation between safety and
  working and living conditions on board ship.
• Sub-standard conditions combined with contracts
  of long service and extensive working hours leave
  no room for a safety culture on board.

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Risk

• The most dangerous risk to the seafarer is not
  from collisions, explosions, slippery decks or
  falling cargo, but from social conditions on
  board.
• The social fatality group is the most
  significantand the most ignored.
• Largest potential for crew safety can come
  through an improvement in social conditions.

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Improvement in social conditions MLC 2006

• Upgraded status at all levels
• More careful selection in recruitment
• Enhanced security and work conditions
• Enhanced education and training
• Improved social environment on board
• Better relations with family
• More leisure time

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Article VII of the MLC Social dialogue

• Derogations, exemptions and flexible applications
  require consultations with representative
  organizations of ship-owners and seafarers at
  national level
• Need to reinforce social dialogue at the national
  level in the maritime sector
• Permanent machinery desirable
• In the absence of relevant social partners at
  national level, consultations through the Special
  Tripartite Committee (Article XIII)

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MLC Regulation 4.4 Welfare Boards

• Welfare boards should be established at port,
  regional and national levels to
• review the adequacy of existing facilities and
  the need for additional facilities
• assist welfare providers and coordination between
  them.
• Board members should include shipowner and
  seafarer organisations, competent authorities,
  voluntary and social bodies.

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What are the objectives of the AMSA Committee?

• Develop channels of communication aimed at
  facilitating the effective implementation of the
  Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
• Develop a database of information for and about
  Port Welfare Committees and other stakeholders
  engaged in seafarer welfare.
• Promote communication and networking between
  stakeholders.

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What are the objectives of the AMSA Committee?

• Data collection, co-ordination, analysis and
  dissemination of information nationally.
• Facilitation of better resources and support
  services to mariners through national channels.
• Raise awareness of the challenges facing the
  Australian maritime industry.

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Who is involved in the AMSA Committee?

• Mission to Seafarers
• Australian Shipowners Association
• Ports Australia
• Shipping Australia
• Stella Maris Apostleship of the Sea

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Who is involved in the AMSA Committee?

• International Transport Workers Federation
• Australian Mariners Welfare Society
• Dept of Education, Employment and Workplace
  Relations
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority

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What is the role of a PWC?

• Liaison with AMSA Committee and port
  stakeholders.
• Monitoring of service provision.
• Research seafarer needs and services.
• Point of contact for seafarers and agencies.
• Facilitate better resourced and cohesive range of
  seafarer welfare services.

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What are the objectives of a PWC?

• Identify seafarers needs, support and advocate
  for welfare agencies.
• Facilitate access to all seafarer services
  needed.
• Liaise with the AMSA Committee on standards for
  the provision of services.
• Encourage welfare agencies to gain expertise
  needed to support of seafarers.
• Provide data to the AMSA Committee to support
  research and seafarer advocacy on national level.

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The quality of life at sea for the seafarer
affects the safety of their lives and others,
safety of the ship and its cargo, and safety of
the environment.
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To address the welfare of the seafarer, is not
just in the interest of the seafarer, but also in
the best interest of all stakeholders in the
industry.
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Questions?