seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Crews "extremely vulnerable" to attacks at sea says charity
Liam Chorley 26th October 2020 https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/18822836.crews-extremely-vulnerable-a...

IN THE wake of yesterday's major incident (Sunday), one maritime charity has spoke of how "extremely vulnerable" crews are to attacks at sea.

International maritime charity, Sailors’ Society, says it is such a huge problem, they have had to specially train support staff in trauma recovery.

'Ticking time bomb': Abandoned seafarers stranded without water, food, or money
Ian Urbina October 26, 2020 https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/ticking-time-bomb-abandoned-seafarers-stran...

France and South Korea top maritime state aid handouts during Covid-19
Sam Chambers October 26, 2020 https://splash247.com/france-and-south-korea-top-maritime-state-aid-hand...

Malaysian workbarge sinks, 121 crew rescued
Jason Jiang October 27, 2020 https://splash247.com/malaysian-offshore-maintenance-vessel-sinks-121-cr...

An offshore workbarge sunk at the Baram field in Malaysian waters this morning sparking a huge rescue operation.

Chinese boats in prime Japanese fishing area rise by nearly four times from 2019
Oct 26, 2020 https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/10/26/national/chinese-boats-prim...

The number of Chinese boats allegedly illegally fishing for flying squid has been increasing rapidly in Japan’s exclusive economic zone off Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Peninsula.

UK special forces storm Navios tanker after suspected hijacking
Jason Jiang October 26, 2020 https://splash247.com/uk-special-forces-storm-navios-tanker-after-suspec...

UK special forces arrested seven stowaways onboard 2011-built 75,000 dwt LR tanker Nave Andromeda near the Isle of Wight for suspected hijacking activities.

Gov't to repatriate Filipino seafarers stranded in China by November - envoy
Angela Coloma, Oct 24 2020 https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/24/20/govt-to-repatriate-filipino-seafa...

Tugboat catchers fire in Cebu City waters
Morexette Marie Erram | October 26,2020 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/347509/tugboat-catchers-fire-in-cebu-...

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A tugboat owned and operated by a roll-on, roll-off company caught fire while sailing along Cebu South Channel on Monday, October 26, 2020.

After freedom, Filipino seafarers captured by pirates battle trauma
Ana P. Santos Oct 24, 2020

ISABELA, Philippines

Filipino seafarers, owing to the country’s status as being the largest supplier of seafarers in the world, are the most at risk. At the height of the piracy, the Philippine government said a Filipino seafarer is kidnapped every 6 hours.

READ: Part 1 | Ocean lockdown: Filipino fishermen face perils at sea

Every day for nearly 5 years, Elmer Balbero was afraid to die.

Ocean lockdown: Filipino seafarers face perils, death at sea
Ana P. Santos Oct 23, 2020

MANILA, Philippines

Part 1: Long-haul fishing is notorious for its exploitative working and deplorable living conditions. Solitary months in the high seas place crew at the mercy of extreme weather disturbances and at risk of physical abuse by malevolent captains.

Jesus Gaboni and 8 other men carefully wrapped Raul Calopez’s body in a white blanket before storing it in the ship’s freezer. Afterwards, the men gathered around in silent prayer.