FATIGUE RULES FAILING SEAFARERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2021 :: RMTnews 16 RMT has welcomed new hard- hitting research from a team at the World Maritime University (WMU) which exposes systemic failures in the implementation of the regulatory regime for seafarers’ hours of work and rest, undermining the credibility of international regulations relating to working hours. The union has regularly raised the issue of crewing levels with the UK regulator the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for over a decade. The report, ‘A Culture of Adjustment’ confirms previous research that suggested recording malpractices were widespread, which seriously questions the capacity of the current regulatory framework to prevent fatigue and mitigate its effects. This is particularly concerning with the number of seafarers serving well beyond their contractual terms and having to take on additional tasks as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. WMU president Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry said that seafarers had a right to the protections set out in international maritime conventions and in particular in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended as well as in the IMO STCW Conventions as amended. “It is well known that fatigue leads to adverse impacts on health and wellbeing as well as increasing the risks of maritime accidents. This report is a wake-up call to regulators, industry and seafarers themselves. The system is flawed with respect to implementation and needs serious attention,” she said. LACK OF CREW The analysis indicates that insufficient crewing is the root cause of violations especially during peak workload conditions. Imbalance between workload and manning levels indicate that flag States do not always fulfil responsibilities, nor do they ensure that shipowners carry out theirs with due regard to efficient and sufficient manning levels on board ships. The fear of the negative consequences of failing inspections and creating problems for shipping companies outweighs the obligation to genuinely comply with international regulations. Employment insecurity accompanied by financial incentives contributes to an environment where adjustment instead of accuracy is the logical outcome. For seafarers, the sole objective of recording hours is to confirm compliance and avoid FATIGUE RULES FAILING SEAFARERS World Maritime University (WMU) uncovers abuse of seafarers’ hours and crewing levels in shipping industry