This may be the part that would interest most here on this forum:
Another panel looked at the impact of modern communications on seafarer wellbeing. There is a debate in the industry about the value of restricting seafarers’ access to social media. This is an important issue given the perception among seafarers that access to the Internet is akin to a human right, but this must be balanced against cyber-security risks. One speaker pointed out that today’s seafarers have a need for access to the Internet and that restrictions are generally ineffective and counterproductive.
It may sound like a pouty teenager move to compare access to the Net to human rights. On the other hand, if your company is preventing you from maintaining your familial relationships and friendships and staying up-to-date with the news in your home country, the harm is obvious.
What about another “human right” The right of seafarers to shore leave when in port?
With the latest development re: entry to USA, are the already strict regulations for foreign crews visiting US ports becoming even worse, as seen from a foreign seaman’s point of view?
Could any additional restrictions imposed by the US lead to reciprocal restrictions on American seafarers in foreign ports?
Time for everyone to start writing to Trump about ordering a moratorium on new or renewal USCG waivers for foreign crew to work in US waters, until much more restrictive regulations can be adopted. Also, for Trump to order a moratorium on issuing or renewing OSC visas for foreign crewmen. Trump wants to create jobs in America and reserve jobs for Americans. He is on a roll. We need to strike while the iron is hot.
[QUOTE=Fraqrat;194760]Maybe we can finally be rid of y’all as the emperor puts restrictions on H1B visas. I’m totally unconcerned about reciprocity from Norway.[/QUOTE]
There are hardly any American merchant or offshore vessels calling at Norwegian ports, but other countries may do so. I asked for an opinion, not making a statement.
Besides. it is very unlikely that Norway, or any other European country for that matter, will put blanket bans on American or any other travelers. That would be against all we stand for and international norms.
BTW; Those of you paddling around in a pond called the Gulf of Mexico don’t have much to worry about.
[QUOTE=Fraqrat;194760]Maybe we can finally be rid of y’all as the emperor puts restrictions on H1B visas. I’m totally unconcerned about reciprocity from Norway.[/QUOTE]
Can I get a Roll Tide with that?!
Updated - - -
[QUOTE=ombugge;194765]There are hardly any American merchant or offshore vessels calling at Norwegian ports, but other countries may do so. I asked for an opinion, not making a statement.
Besides. it is very unlikely that Norway, or any other European country for that matter, will put blanket bans on American or any other travelers. That would be against all we stand for and international norms.
BTW; Those of you paddling around in a pond called the Gulf of Mexico don’t have much to worry about.[/QUOTE]
Our “pond” has some of nicest beaches and best seafood in the world…Hate all you want.
PS, it’s 60F at my house in coastal Alabama and it’s January…Enjoy your shitty Norwegian weather!
I have always wanted a cell phone blocker. Deckhands just will not leave them in their room. Even the damn tankerman are screwing around on their phone. And the Mates? No of course not.
I do find it a convenient way to contact the engineers.
[QUOTE=ombugge;194759]What about another “human right” The right of seafarers to shore leave when in port?
With the latest development re: entry to USA, are the already strict regulations for foreign crews visiting US ports becoming even worse, as seen from a foreign seaman’s point of view?
Could any additional restrictions imposed by the US lead to reciprocal restrictions on American seafarers in foreign ports?[/QUOTE]
It may sound like a pouty teenager move to compare access to the Net to human rights.
The claim that Internet access is a basic human right relates more to restrictions and censorship by government (to which I fully agree - everyone should have unrestricted access to Internet regardless of under which oppressive regime they live) rather than a commercial company’s need to provide its employees online access from workplace (in this case, a ship that may be outside the reach of land-based networks).
However, considering how important role the Internet plays today in maintaining contact with relatives and friends, I think companies that provide it have an edge over those who think it’s not a big deal to separate people from their loved ones. I sailed through the Northern Sea Route from Alaska to Norway in 2012 with pretty much continuous Facebook access - it can’t be that difficult to arrange today, five years later. Already in the mid-1980s when I was born, it was possible for my dad to call home from abroad using the ship’s radio and some kind of interface to the phone network. 30 years later it shouldn’t be a big deal to allocate few hundred kilobits to both directions for the crew…
[QUOTE=Tups;194904] However, considering how important role the Internet plays today in maintaining contact with relatives and friends, I think companies that provide it have an edge over those who think it’s not a big deal to separate people from their loved ones. I sailed through the Northern Sea Route from Alaska to Norway in 2012 with pretty much continuous Facebook access - it can’t be that difficult to arrange today, five years later. Already in the mid-1980s when I was born, it was possible for my dad to call home from abroad using the ship’s radio and some kind of interface to the phone network. 30 years later it shouldn’t be a big deal to allocate few hundred kilobits to both directions for the crew…[/QUOTE]
The last ship I was on, everyone gets 2G per month. As you point out, its going to pay in the long run for the company if people are less stressed about their home-life, happier, and facing less pressure from home to change to an onshore career. When I started working away from home, the lack of private communications opportunities contributed to the destruction of some of my relationships and led to me being forgotten about for family news like weddings, deaths, and illnesses. I have seen my crewmates suffer greater pain than that, as they miss their children’s births or their marriages suffer breaking stresses. That type of thing is, in my mind, the greatest sacrifice that mariners make. No amount of cushy-nowegian-super-yacht-style-luxury can make up for that hardship. But a little bit of Skype can go a long way.
Another view: I’ve seen plenty of folks who’d of been happier ship mates (or soldiers overseas) if they just wrote a letter every couple weeks! Also, the days when we’d all go to the day room or galley for a movie proved to make for a more cohesive crew.
ship to shore radio/telephone interface still works if you have anyone aboard who can operate a HF radio!!
I spent a few nice xmas’s on the hf calling home then chatting on the net about a cooking time for the turkey on board, no cook no recipe just a few blokes on board.
Everyone out their was a seaman missing loved ones like each of us.
Ps norwegians dont make superyachts thats the dutch and germans or do you mean the difference between a norwegian offshore vessel and the flat top barge with a portacabin welded on gom vessel?
[QUOTE=powerabout;195165]I spent a few nice xmas’s on the hf calling home then chatting on the net about a cooking time for the turkey on board, no cook no recipe just a few blokes on board.
Everyone out their was a seaman missing loved ones like each of us.
Ps norwegians dont make superyachts thats the dutch and germans or do you mean the difference between a norwegian offshore vessel and the flat top barge with a portacabin welded on gom vessel?[/QUOTE]
I wasn’t talking about yachts. I was talking about the beauty and luxury that is expected in the accommodation of Norwegian-designed working ships: wooden floors, leather sofas, big salons, movie theaters, gaming stations, music rooms, high-end electronics, saunas, hot tubs, free help-yourself ice cream, state-of-the-market gym equipment, etc. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.
I never have worked on a German ship. The only Dutch ship I worked on had been used as part of a youth offender rehabilitation program. Still had an orange spot painted outside of each cabin for the kids to stand on for their head counts. Good little ship, but not a luxury liner.
[/QUOTE]
