Seafarers are increasingly worried that they will take the rap for botched sulphur cap transitions.
While the latest Seafarers Happiness Index paints a remarkably improving picture for life at sea, the stress involved with IMO 2020 is becoming clear to see.
The quarterly report, carried out by the Mission to Seafarers, indicates among those polled that there is a widespread fear of blame for non-compliance, suggesting that some seafarers do not feel prepared for the cap, which comes into effect in the New Year. Many participants reported concerns that discrepancies in data, in addition to tougher inspection regimes, could result in seafarers facing prosecution by authorities.
“With reports of tough inspections and penalties, seafarers are beginning to sense that once more they may be the ones who have to run the gauntlet of disputes,” the report noted.
The report indicates that the companies investing more resources into training have happier crews – highlighting the importance of seafarers feeling confident in their own abilities and with the responsibilities placed upon them by new regulations.
