A report published today by the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare (ICSW) has found that seafarers' access to communications technology is taking a back seat because of high investment costs and ports' concerns about security.
Developments in New Technology & Implications for Seafarers' Welfare was commissioned by ICSW to assess how port-wide WiFi and WiMAX are helping seafarers to maintain closer contact with home, which is one of their top welfare concerns.
Globally, WiFi has become widely used as an affordable means of connecting to the internet within close range of a WiFi access point but it has a smaller range than WiMAX. WiFi typically offers a maximum range of 50 metres indoors and 100 metres outdoors, while WiMAX provides wireless reception over greater distances. Many expect WiMAX to replace broadband accessed through phone lines, cable and DSL, thereby popularising broadband access in the same way that mobile phones have transformed telecommunications.
The survey found that 32 percent of ports surveyed have port-wide WiFi and 10 percent had port-wide WiMAX. Of those ports with port-wide wireless networks, 58 percent allowed seafarers access to the networks and 38 percent gave seafarers access for free. Just 26 percent of ports without port-wide access reported having plans for this technology in the future.
The main reason cited for not having port-wide wireless technology was a lack of demand (50 percent), followed by concerns about security (28 percent) and the cost of installing and operating port-wide wireless networks (28 percent). Concerns about security was also the main reason for not allowing seafarers access to existing networks among those that already have port-wide access but do not currently provide universal access.
"Providing cheap and easy access to the internet and email enhances the welfare of seafarers and supports recruitment and retention to the sector," said ICSW executive director Roger Harris. "Most of us would find it unthinkable these days to exist without the internet – we rely on it to stay in touch with friends and family, keep our affairs in order and enrich our lives. Seafarers deserve the same benefits."