Resources to assist with changing practice
Our research is published in a variety of forms which are designed to be accessible to stakeholders and policy makers, ensuring wide-spread impact.
Changing practice
We use our work to determine research-based policy recommendations when they are consistent in the advancement of seafarers’ welfare. This includes looking closely at seafarers’ living conditions on board, their relationships with faith, and their mental health.
Understanding seafarers’ living conditions
The story of Freddie
Based on a decade of research, this animation brings our findings on the design of shipboard accommodation to life. Using an account of a fictitious engine cadet’s experience of his first vessel, the animation highlights the consequences of poor accommodation design for individual seafarers and for an industry keen to attract skilled and talented personnel.
Recommended standard of accommodation for seafarers working on board cargo vessels
Faith and religion at sea
Faith and the welfare of seafarers working on cargo ships
This film describes some our findings from an ESRC funded project ‘Religion in multi-ethnic contexts: a multidisciplinary case study of global seafaring’. Beginning in 2017, this study looks in to the faith and related needs of multinational seafarers working on board cargo ships and port-based chaplaincy.
Health and mental wellbeing
Recommendations for changes to seafarers’ health
In 2011 and 2016, we conducted a questionnaire relating to seafarers’ overall health. The questionnaire was administered to active seafarers visiting welfare centres from their ships and was distributed and collected by port chaplains and by researchers in the UK, Philippines, and China. In this report, the analysis focuses on the significant differences between the findings for 2011 and 2016, particularly between sleep quality at sea, quality of life, and health related behaviours.
From this study, we were able to make recommendations to advance seafarers’ health, including:
- ensuring that effective means of screening out daylight are provided in all seafarer cabins
- providing alternatives to fried foods on board and ensuring a vegetarian option is available
- providing better access to those facilities on board which allow seafarers to relax and achieve
a degree of mental restoration
Changes in seafarers' health 2011-16: Recommendations from the summary report
Improving ship-shore relationships
An Everyday Tale of Life at Sea - free training resource
In part, the effective operation of a modern vessel is determined by the quality of the relationships between shore side personnel and sea staff. Through our research, we have developed a free training resource designed to improve relationships between those working on ships and staff working ashore.
Watch An Everyday Tale of Life at Sea on YouTube.
To request a copy of the animation and the training guide please email sirc@cf.ac.uk.
Corruption in ports
Problem ports: Seafarers’ stress and subjugation as a result of corrupt practice
Traditionally, approaching a port is uplifting for seafarers who may have been at sea for days without seeing another living soul. However, our research paints a different picture. This film exhibits our findings from a study showing that contemporary seafarers often experience stress, rather than excitement, when they approach a port and deal with port officials.
Watch Problem Ports on YouTube.
Material exchanges between ship staff and port personnel
Seafarers experience all different types of exchanges in port. A common exchange seen is that of material offerings to port personnel to avoid consequences, such as unexpected fines. This film explains our findings on facilitation 'gift' exchanges, port corruption, and financial extortion.
Improving mandatory equipment and training
Recommendations for improving design and training associated with mandatory equipment
As a result of investigating seafarers’ experiences of using mandatory equipment onboard, we have been able to contribute to safety at sea. The study was extensive and was conducted in the period 2012‐2016. As the first study of its kind, it aimed to understand the underlying causes of poor mandatory equipment use, where this exists. The study report identifies reasons for poor use of mandatory equipment and recommends some ways in which this might be improved. These include:
- fall prevention devices should be mandatory and proper training in their use given
- regular maintenance On‐Load Release and Retrieval Systems (OLRRS) should be mandatory
- freefall lifeboats should be designed to further reduce the risk of spinal injuries