Shipping Australia (SAL) has called on government and the community to reflect on the contribution seafarers make to the economy and ensure their welfare is protected.
"Having to deal with the perils of the sea, the risk of fire and explosion, being attacked by pirates and hijacked, having shorter and shorter shore leave means the task of the seafarer is becoming harder and harder," said Michael Phillips, Chairman of Shipping Australia.
"In addition, the loneliness and absence from home is a matter that we should all recognise and assist our welfare agencies to deal with.
"Shipping Australia commends welfare agencies such as the various missions to seaman and other welfare agencies that seek to make Australian ports a home away from home," Mr Phillips said.
Shipping Australia is a strong supporter of an initiative undertaken by the Rotary Club of Melbourne South to direct attention to mental illness and depression amongst seafarers on merchant ships.
"SAL has been in contact with that organisation to see how we can help promote this very important initiative nationwide," said Llew Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Shipping Australia.
Mr Phillips added that another important issue we have to recognise is the increasing criminalisation of seafarers for accidents over which they have no control. In Australia we have the incident with the Pacific Adventurer in Queensland in March last year and the date for the court case involving the captain of that ship and the shipping company is yet to be set.
Mr Russell pointed out that over 90 percent of Australia's foreign trade is carried by sea.
