Seafarers’ Welfare Centre Index

Every year, the ITF and its affiliates deal with a number of cases of ‘abandonment’, where a shipowner ‘abandons’ their responsibilities for the ship and its crew. View the current reported cases.

Criminalisation is one of the most serious problems facing seafarers today. When there has been a maritime accident, or a pollution infringement, seafarers have often been detained and denied access to normal rules of fair play and justice with which to defend themselves against criminal charges.

Seafarers work in the harshest environment imaginable. Not only do they combat the forces of nature on the worlds oceans, they remain an unseen workforce, spending many months away, and sometimes out of contact from their family and friends.

The ITFShipBeSure website provides advice on finding a manning agent, avoiding recruitment scams and ensuring you have the right contract.