Communication challenges, human trafficking plague seafaring industry

(February 17, 2011) Seafarers worldwide have always faced a difficult life marked by long periods away from loved ones, but increased globalization has given rise to new challenges, including difficulty with communication and human trafficking. These were some of the issues that regional directors of the Apostleship of the Sea discussed February 14-16 during their annual gathering at the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers. Globalization has led to the development of more ports, and existing ports are seeing an increase in traffic. The growth in the shipping and fishing industries has led to a greater demand for mariners, and the demand for manpower is so great in some parts of the world that personnel can be victims of human trafficking, said Father Romeo Yu Chang, regional coordinator of East-Far East Asia. Undocumented labourers are often victims of abuse and exploitation, and many of the workers "are enticed or lured or kidnapped to work as sea fishermen," he wrote in the report. The greatest problem historically faced by seafarers, who might spend 9-10 months at sea, has been the difficulty in communicating with family back home. The Apostleship of the Sea helps seafarers by offering phone cards and Internet connections at port centres, and port chaplains often go onto the boats with laptops and cell phones for workers to use, said Deacon Albert M. Dacanay, regional coordinator for North America and the Caribbean. The Apostleship of the Sea, which provides spiritual care to seafarers and anyone whose livelihood depends on the sea, has set up centres and chaplaincies across the world to help seafarers wherever they may be.