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ISPS is hurting mariners, survey reports (11/21)

The ISPS code is improving security at the expense of seafarers who are increasingly overworked and treated with suspicion, according to an International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) survey released today. This is happening at a time when disproportionate security measures not related to the code are also having a negative impact on crews, the federation says. In a news release announcing the survey, the ITF stated the following: The ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Code was widely seen as a successful example of the ‘fast tracking’ of legislation when it was introduced in response to the 9/11 attacks in the USA. However the ITF survey shows that the welcome security gains are being undermined by lack of trust and support for the seafarers tasked with implementing it. The ITF has been broadly supportive of ISPS and applauded the consultative manner in which it was drawn up. However, there have always been concerns about a possible negative impact on seafarers, as a result of which the federation initiated the survey, which was sent to its 127 inspectors and 230 affiliated maritime unions - which represent around 700,000 seafarers - for them to consult their members and report back. The results - published as the report Access Denied: Implementing the ISPS Code - can be viewed at www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm/detail/1446 (or by clicking here The overwhelming response to the survey was that ISPS had seriously increased seafarers’ workloads without any increase in staff, pay or training, and was associated with the grave problems experienced with shore leave, especially in the USA. Although the ISPS Code includes provisions to avert problems of access to ports, shore leave and welfare facilities, it is clear from the survey that these are being neglected in the Code’s implementation. Serious areas of concern highlighted in the survey responses include: Increased workload and responsibility No commensurate increase in pay Inadequate training Restrictions on shore leave Problems in obtaining United States visas Difficulties for seafarers’ welfare and trade union representatives seeking to board vessels to provide services to crew Jon Whitlow, Secretary of the ITF’s Seafarers’ Section, said: “All responsible parties back the aim of the ISPS code. But there’s a gap between principle and practice. The measures that were supposed to protect seafarers are too often being neglected. Combine that with other excessive security measures being implemented outside the code and you have a grave and counter-productive climate of distrust and suspicion being created out there. “It would seem that ISPS Code is being implemented selectively. The delicate balance built in to the Code has, in the opinion of seafarers, been undermined in practice.” He concluded: “The survey once again shows that the main problems include overwork, visa difficulties and the denial of shore leave – amounting to virtual discrimination just at a time when seafarers need to be treated as allies in the fight against terrorism and when everyone in the industry is trying to attract newcomers into the profession.” The ITF news release, which also includes links to the survey, is available here ###