Nautilus Launches Crew Communications Survey

The UK government recently stated that internet access should no longer be a luxury but a basic right. However, recent surveys by Nautilus and other maritime organisations have shown that only around 50% of seafarers currently have access to the internet and, even when they do, it is often limited and expensive.

Back in April, Nautilus launched a campaign to encourage all ship owners to provide good quality connectivity to crew onboard ships and this survey aims to provide information about the issues that are most important to seafarers. As part of this campaign, Nautilus International has now launched the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken on crew connectivity, giving seafarers the opportunity to influence the way shipping companies use technology onboard their vessels.

Aims of the campaign

The campaign seeks to persuade shipping companies to provide internet access for all members (and by extension other seafarers) on their vessels and, where there is already a basic provision, to move to provision of free wifi on board.

It also seeks to establish which companies already make provision, whether this can be improved, and the reasons companies give for not providing it. It will enable members to go back to their management and explain the benefits and relative costs, and to dispense with any misconceptions around the subject. 

"The first stage of our Crew Comms campaign is to find out what seafarers think about their current connection onboard and in ports and what they want to see in the future," said general secretary, Mark Dickinson.

"Some of the questions have been asked before, but this will be the first time that they are all in the same place and the results will allow Nautilus to monitor how the situation has changed in recent years.

It is vital that all members currently serving at sea take part in this survey, whether they believe they have excellent communications onboard or not, as good practice and bad can all help to inform our campaign and provide stepping stones for improvement to the lives of seafarers onboard."

As well as ensuring that the voice of seafarers is heard within the connectivity at sea debate, every person who completes the survey will be entered into a draw to win one of five tablets.

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete but your input is vital so that Nautilus can further the aims of the campaign. 

Please access the survey here. 

About Nautilus:
Nautilus International (formerly NUMAST) is the trade union and professional organisation for maritime professionals at sea and ashore. We represent 22,000 maritime professionals including ship masters (captains), officers, officer trainees (cadets) and shipping industry personnel, such as ship pilots, inland navigation workers, vessel traffic services operators (similar to air traffic control), harbourmasters, seafarers in the oil and gas industry, and shore-based staff.For more information, or interview requests, please contact Debbie Cavaldoro on 020 8530 1648, 077300 94692 or dcavaldor@nautilusint.org.

* Imge courtesy of Pixabay CC0