The Adaptation to Shipboard Working Environment of Selected Filipino Seafarers During the Covid-19 Pandemic
John Vincent Tamayo, Clarissa Isayas, Ma. Eunico Sim delos Reyes, John Paulo Rodriguez, Mark Anthony Tepico & Victor M. Cajala
Abstract
This study was designed to analyse the adaptation of selected Filipino seafarers towards the shipboard working environment specifically on work-related (ship routine) and worker-related (seafarer well-being) aspects during the Covid-19. The measures to adapt were also investigated. Employing qualitative design, data were obtained using an unstructured questionnaire from purposively sampled Filipino seafarers (N=6) via face-to-face interview. This is the limit of this study which there were only 6 respondents and predominantly have access to an internet connection or near the location of one of the researchers. Interview transcript was thematically analysed to establish themes and patterns. The results indicated that the work-related difficulties experienced by the seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic involve the constant sanitation protocol and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as facemasks and bodysuits. While the worker-related difficulties involve lack of relaxation, sudden changes of behavior of crewmates, contract shortening and extension and strict health protocols. Work-related coping measures were proper sanitation, social distancing and constant use of handheld radios for communication while worker-related measures were application of discipline and sacrifice of shore leave.
Keywords
adaptation, Covid-19, Filipino seafarers, shipboard
Author information & Contribution
Disclosure statement
Funding
Declaration
Notes
This paper is presented in 2nd International Research Competition 2022
Acknowledgement
References
Anish (2021). 6 Ways to Improve Interpersonal Relationship among Seafarers on board Ships. Retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://www.marineinsight.com/life-at-sea/6-ways-to-improve-interpersonal-relationship-among-seafarers-on-board-ships/
Barcelona, F. (2020). Beyond The Limit: How COVID-19 corner-cutting places too much risk in the International Shipping System. Retrieved May 29, 2021 from https://www.itfglobal.org/sites/default/files/node/news/files/ITF%20MSC%20Report%20September%202020_Beyond_the_limit_v8.pdf
Battineni, G.; Sagaro, G.G; Chintalapudi, N, Di Canio, M.; Amenta, F. (2021). Assessment of Awareness and Knowledge on Novel Corona virus pandemic among seafarers. Healthcare 2021, 9, 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9020120
Bhui, K., Dinos, S., Galant-Miecznikowska, M., de Jongh, B., & Stansfeld, S. (2016). Perceptions of work stress causes and effective interventions in employees working in public, private and non-governmental organisations: a qualitative study. BJPsych bulletin, 40(6), 318–325. https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.115.050823
CDC (n.d). Mental Health. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 09, 2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
Cristopoulou, M. (2020). Steps to protect mariner wellbeing aboard ships during COVID-19. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://safety4sea.com/steps-to-protect-mariner-wellbeing-aboard-ships-during-covid-19/
Dolan, J. (2020). Working in shipping in the post-COVID era: What will be the same & what will change? The Safety4Sea. Retrieved May 20, 2021 From https://safety4sea.com/cm-working-in-shipping-in-the-post-covid-era-what-will-be-the-same-what-will-change/
Hand, K. (2020). Limited shore leave taking its toll on seafarers. Sea Trade Maritime News. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/limited-shore-leave-taking-its-toll-seafarers
Hebbar & Mukesh (2020). COVID-19 and seafarers’ rights to shore leave, repatriation and medical assistance: a pilot study. International Maritime Health, Vol. 71, No.4
Holly C. (2019). Chapter 7: Qualitative Descriptive Projects. In Practice-Based Scholarly Inquiry and the DNP Project, 2nd Edition. DOI: 10.1891/9780826134943.0007
HSE (2019). Protocol. Health Service Executive. Retrieved June 09, 2021 from https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/use-of-improvement-methods/nationalframeworkdevelopingpolicies/1-presentation-part-1-july-2019.pdf
ILO (2021). Information note on maritime labour issues and coronavirus (COVID-19) Revised version 3.0. Retrieved May 24, 2021. from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_norm/-normes/documents/genericdocument/wcms_741024.pdf
International Chamber of Shipping (2020) The COVID-19 Pandemic: The crew changes crisis. Retrieved May 24, 2021 from https://www.ics-shipping.org/current-issue/the-covid-19-pandemic-the-crew-change-crisis/
International Chamber of Shipping (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers. Retrieved September 8, 2021 from https://www.ics-shipping.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/covid19-guidance-for-ship-operators-for-the-protection-of-the-health-of-seafarers-v3-min.pdf
International Chambers of Shipping (2021). Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers. Retrieved September 10, 2021. From https://www.ics-shipping.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/covid19-guidance-for-ship-operators-for-the-protection-of-the-health-of-seafarers-v3-min.pdf
Kalvaitienė G. & Senčila V. (2019). Ship as a Social Space for Adaptation: Perception of the Phenomenon by Young Seafarers. TransNav the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation 13(3):635-640. DOI: 10.12716/1001.13.03.21
Marine Insight News Network (2020). Seafarers Cannot Be Compelled to Work Once Contract Is Over – ITF and JNG. Retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/seafarers-cannot-be-compelled-to-work-once-contract-is-over-itf-and-jng/
Pathak K. (2020). Seafarers in a time of pandemic – strategies for maintaining and improving mental wellbeing. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://www.gard.no/web/updates/content/29575007/seafarers-in-a-time-of-pandemic-strategies-for-maintaining-and-improving-mental-wellbeing
Pauksztat, B., Grech, M., Kitada, M., and Jensen, R. B. (2020). Seafarers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: Report. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21677/wmu20201213
Premti, A. & Asariotis, R. (2021). Facilitating crew changes and repatriation of seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter. Retrieved May 20, 2021 From https://unctad.org/news/facilitating-crew-changes-and-repatriation-seafarers-during-covid-19-pandemic-and-beyond
Relph, V. (2021). A Lloyd’s Register-led survey sets the foundations for improvements in seafarer well-being. Retrieved May 24, 2021. from https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/the-sea/far-reaching-impact-of-covid
Risha (2017). Filipino Seafarers. A Story of Every Filipino Seafarer. CTSI. Retrieved June 09, 2021 from https://ctsi.com.ph/story-every-filipino-seafarer/
Rosner E (2020) Adverse Effects of Prolonged Mask Use among Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19. J Infect Dis Epidemiol 6:130. doi.org/10.23937/2474-3658/1510130
Safety4Sea (2020). 10 ways that COVID-19 has disrupted shipping. Retrieved September 10, 2021. From https://safety4sea.com/cm-10-ways-that-covid-19-has-disrupted-shipping/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_j4bdD3fSEDljru1dnCxv7w9LH5KfXkTEVTFd8Uvqz2k-1631271118-0-gqNtZGzNAhCjcnBszQf9
Slišković, A. (2020). ‘Seafarers’ Well-being in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study’. IOS Press. 1 Jan. 2020: 799 – 809.
Teoh, P. (2020). The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Shipping. The Maritime Executive. Retrieved June 09, 2021. From https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-shipping?fbclid=IwAR00x6sYFYFlxIDPU8Ya-7cGHDWklvUDUrL7EKouowKOGyj1jTT87EHGdec
Thoft, E. (2008). Working Environment Manual – Seafarers. Hellmans Förlag AB, Katrineholm, mars 2016
Van Gogh, M. (2020). Imagine being stranded at sea for 18 months. That’s still the reality for many seafarers amid COVID-19. World Economic Forum. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/imagine-being-stranded-at-sea-for-18-months-thats-the-reality-for-many-seafarers-amid-covid-19/.
Vargha, C. & van Leur, A. (2020). Seafarers and fishers: Providing vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_743344/lang–en/index.htm
Whiting, K. (2020). Stuck at sea: How to save the world’s seafarers and the supply systems they support. World Economic Forum. Retrieved May 20, 2021 from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/shipping-seafarers-covid-19-mental-health-supply-systems/
Wright, A. (2020, July 09). Mission to Seafarers: How to mitigate COVID-19 impact on seafarers’ mental health. The Safety4Sea. Retrieved May 20, 2021. From https://safety4sea.com/cm-mission-to-seafarers-how-to-mitigate-covid-19-impact-on-seafarers-mental-health/
Cite this article:
Tamayo, J., Isayas, C. delos Reyes, M., Rodriguez, J., Tepico, M. & Cajala, V.M. (2022). The Adaptation to Shipboard Working Environment of Selected Filipino Seafarers During the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Research Probe, Volume 2 Issue 2, pp. 113 – 117.
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
Related articles:
Most read articles
- Senior High School Strand Alignment and Its Implication to The Tertiary Programs: A Basis for Bridging Program
- Reading Comprehension Difficulties Among Junior High School Learners
- Difficulties in the writing skills of Grade 11 HUMSS students
- Identifying gender stereotypes of high school LGBTQ students
- Lived experiences of senior high school focal persons in the implementation of work immersion program
- Factors Influencing Reading Comprehension and Difficulties Among Intermediate Learners: Basis For Developing Remedial Reading Intervention
- Disaster risk reduction and management on earthquake preparedness: An assessment
- Digital Marketing Strategies Used by Competing Coffee Shops in Candelaria, Quezon: Perspective of Employees
- Analysis of school rules and regulation implementation: Basis for policy enhancement program
- Technical vocational students’ higher learning institution preference and level of academic and skills preparedness