The Ulster Unionist Party Leader Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has highlighted the debt we owe to seafarers, who are working under very challenging conditions due to the threat posed by coronavirus, often unable to disembark in ports and return home, as they ensure the World’s supply routes stay open.

Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:

“Whilst many people are feeling the effects of isolation as we all attempt to work together to stay home, help protect the NHS, save lives and win the battle against coronavirus, there is one group of people who have gone almost un-noticed, and that is seafarers.

“Many people don’t realise that 95 per cent of the UK’s goods are transported by sea and that merchant fleets are absolutely critical to both our own and the global supply chain.

“As a submariner I was well used to lengthy periods of isolation, and many seafarers are also accustomed to lengthy spells at sea, away from home and family, albeit above the waves. The current pandemic has however served to bring with it a whole host of problems, and given that this is Mental Health Awareness week, it is fitting that we should give due and proper recognition to this.

“I am aware of a number of cases whereby people are stranded at sea, with ships unable to make port and crew changes unable to be facilitated due to international restrictions.  Some crew members are working 2/3 months past their sign off date. This obviously has implications for mental health, with five suicides recently of crew members onboard ships.

“As we salute the NHS and all other key workers, we should also spare a thought and some gratitude for the seafarers of all Nations, who are playing their part in keeping the supply chain going, often in very challenging circumstances, away from their families and support networks. It is to be hoped that as we start to defeat this virus, more countries will allow ships to put into port and for crews to be changed so that crews can be repatriated and see their own loved ones once again.”