A day in life on board: seafarers and their longings in Cuxhaven

A day in life on board: seafarers and their longings in Cuxhaven

in the warm lounge of the chemistry tanker Corelli in the Cuxhaven harbor, it is anything but quiet despite the effort of work on board. Soul Aromas of freshly baked cinnamon snails pull through the room and raise the mood of the seafarers. Inga Thom from the Seemanns mission Cuxhaven, who has been working in this function for three years, enjoys this moment. She knows how important food is for the morality of seafarers and appreciates the valuable connection that she can build on the men on the ship.

The 41-year-old Inga, supported by a small team of volunteers and a federal volunteer, specializes in assisting the seafarers in their often isolated lifestyle. She comes from Schleswig-Holstein and regularly visits seafarers from different countries, including many from the Philippines and Eastern Europe. With a smile, she talks about her ability to build a bridge to communicate by learning accents and dialects, which deepens the connection to the sailors.

modern communication on board

A central concern of Inga is to make contact with their families easier for seafarers. The ship cook Frederic Macauba, who has been at sea for five months and misses his family in Manila, reports on his feelings of missed and loneliness, which are particularly strong in the morning and in the evening. In order to bridge this distance, Thom brought an internet router on board that gives the seafarers the opportunity to make an unlimited video call with their loved ones. This is an important initiative because the Internet connection in many ports is often unreliable and expensive.

The German Seemann Mission has a long tradition and was founded in 1886 to offer seafarers support. With around 600 employees worldwide, they take care of the needs of seafarers, provide them with SIM cards, help with currency changes or organize social evenings in the sailor club. Cuxhaven is just one of 33 locations in Germany and another 15 countries.

a varied work in the port

Thom's commitment also leads you to the cargo ship BBC Coral, where she is greeted in a friendly manner on her third visit to Kadett Igor Svitkin. Dealing with the seafarers has become more warm; They shake their hands and laugh when they remember past conversations. This personal contact is essential for Inga because she gets an insight into the life of the seafarers during her visits. Once on the ship, she looks at the port and the busy activities that take place around them.

This gap between land -by and maritime realities is particularly aware of her during the conversations with officers such as Nicolai Cernev from the Republic of Moldova. Many seafarers spend their birthdays alone, far from their families, which is a common but often stressful experience for them. Using the example of Igor, who recently celebrated his birthday, the value of a small celebration in the Seemannsclub, which is a ray of hope for the sailors

thom knows how important even the smallest gestures can be; Whether it is a gift, an open ear or just a friendly exchange. Her visits convey to the seafarers that they are not alone, but part of a larger community that takes care of their concerns. Human interaction is the main reason for Inga why she chose this profession.

The seafarers like to tell Thompson about their experiences, such as the fragrance of fir trees, which during a Christmas visit to one of the ships pulled through the corridors and thus brought a piece of home to the sea of loneliness. Each conversation brings new perspectives and valuable insights into the different cultures that Thom meet in their daily work. This diversity enriches its life in the harbor, and it feels great gratitude for the encounters that their task brings.

a job full of encounters

These human connections are the core of their mission. While she observes the daily life of the seafarers, she realizes how much her world differs from that of the rural residents. Her ability to show understanding while at the same time keeps professionalism makes Inga Thom an important contact point on board. The fact that around 1.8 million seafarers are on the oceans worldwide illustrates the relevance of their work and the need to offer support to these people, who are often from home for months.

The challenges of seafarers at sea

Life at sea harbors numerous challenges. Sailors often have to remain separated from their families and friends for months, which leads to emotional stress. According to a study by the Seafarers International Research Center (Sirc), more than 80 % of the seafarers believe that isolation and loneliness tighten their mental health problems. At the same time, seafarers are often confronted with physical requirements, which are increased by changing weather conditions and operational responsibility.

A survey by the International Seafarers ’Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) showed that about 25 % of the seafarers provide for their time to be confronted with significant stress problems during their time. These factors require strong psychological resilience, which can be mitigated by the support offers of the sailor missions, as Inga Thom offers in Cuxhaven.

The role of the sailor missions worldwide

The global presence of the sailor missions plays a crucial role in supporting seafarers. In Germany, the German sailor mission is active, which is one of many that works for the concerns of seafarers in various ports worldwide. These facilities not only offer practical help, such as access to the Internet and communication, but also promote social interactions and emotional support. In over 200 port cities worldwide, sailor missions are active, which are supported by more than 300,000 seafarers every year.

In addition to the sailor missions, seafarers such as the Mission to Seafarers and the Sailors' Society offer similar services. These organizations take care of the mental and social needs of the seafarers by promoting programs on mental health and even offering legal advice if necessary. The support of these organizations is particularly important in times of crisis.

economic aspects of seafaring

Maritime industry is a central part of the global economy. Around 90 % of international trade is handled by the sea route. This means that the security and well -being of seafarers have a direct impact on the economy. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there are over 1.8 million seafarers who work on around 74,000 merchant ships worldwide.

In addition to the personal challenge, seafarers are also faced with economic aspects. Long missions can become less attractive during weak market sites, especially if the contracts of shipping companies fluctuate sharply. A survey by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) showed that the seafarers' salaries have been heavily regulated in recent years, which leads to dissatisfaction in the industry.

The connection between the economic stability of the shipping companies and the well -being of the seafarers is tight. The provision of support and services by organizations such as the sailor missions can not only help the seafarers, but ultimately also benefit the entire maritime industry.