Plight of Seafarers

by Jun Pioquinto

   Seafarers have many stories, some are real heart-breaking. These stories are related to exploitations specially seafarers from developing countries, long hours of work, meager salaries, poor working conditions, lack of medical care and abuses. These conditions are some of the reasons why many of our seafarers need care and assistance everytime they get to ports. 

   When I first saw in Portland my classmate from high school 30 years ago, Edwin, who is now a  chief engineer, I asked him what is the most seafarers want to do when they get to the port. He answered, "Calling their families back home." The number-one concern of the seafarers is their families. They could hardly wait to call home when they arrive in ports. This is one way to make sure their families are okay. Imagine, six to 12 months before seeing their families again. Many of these seamen are married and devoted to their families.

   There are stories after stories of seafarers who purposely were not informed of the death of a family member until they finished their contract, the reason is that, if they returned home earlier, replacing their positions are costly.

   One more reason why they probably want to call their spouses is that they want to make sure communication is not cut off. There are temptations back home also. Because of loneliness their spouses are attracted to opposite sex and when seafarers come back from the sea, some find out that their spouses are already living with another men. I personally know a seaman that when he come back from the sea, he found out from witnesses that his wife was having an affair with another man. He thought his wife was taking care of the money he has been sending home but unfortunately nothing has been saved and even their personal properties has been sold.

In a conversation with some of the seafarers while personally giving them rides to shopping malls and discount stores, they told me that when they are not at sea they are not paid, no medical or other benefit like retirement plans unless they initiate personal investments. One reason many work beyond retirement age.

   In an article "Ministry to Seafarers," by Mary Jo Dangel, St. Anthony Messenger, 1997 "Seafarers are invisible people. A ship can sink with 30 people aboard and it gets no notice. But if an airplane goes down with three people aboard, it's front-page news. Seafarers are quite expendable." It continues,  "He recalls media coverage of some penguins that died from an oil slick when a tanker sank. But no mention was made of the people who died on the ship... these people are like the poorest of the poor in the Gospel. They are deaf because they can't understand the [local] language. They are blind because they can't read the language. They maybe without money. In addition to problems concerning withheld wages, seafarers from some countries have little spending money because a large percent of their salary must be sent to their families."

   The question is why do so many seafarers continuously working and many even are seeking work for the merchant marine. The answer is simple, in spite of the oppressive conditions, exploitation, long hours,  poor salaries, ,poor working conditions, and lack of medical care, for many of them, working as seaman is still better than any other jobs available in the countries where they live.

   This is why we are here, to help our brothers and sisterson the sea who come to our ports. If there's anything we can do to alleviate their poor working conditions, hardships, loneliness and sufferings, we will do it. If you want to help our seafarers,  be a partner with Portland Seafarers Mission, or request additional information, please don't hesitate to call  us. All your donations are tax-deductible. God Bless!

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