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Total Lubmarine has announced its support of ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp with a donation to the organisation.

ISWAN works to promote and support the welfare of seafarers all over the world, providing a range of support and welfare services. The charity engages with more than 10,000 seafarers a year on any number of issues, although this number has increased significantly in recent months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘We are very pleased to be able to help ISWAN in its role of providing critical support for seafarers globally,’ said Robert Joore, General Manager of Total Lubmarine. ‘For many seafarers, their lives are challenging – experiencing long periods away from their homes, families and friends with limited or no communication. These challenges have been magnified even more during the COVID-19 pandemic with significantly increasing emotional and psychological challenges for many.’

Traditionally, the fast turnaround of ships in ports meant seafarers faced severely restricted shore leave, whilst reduced crew numbers have increased workloads.

‘Welfare services and facilities both on board and ashore are a lifeline for seafarers which is why we are delighted to support ISWAN with funds to help improve their free, 24-hour, multilingual helpline “SeafarerHelp”,’ said Serge Dal Farra, Global Marketing Director at Total Lubmarine.

ISWAN’s helpline is one of the direct welfare services the charity provides to seafarers and is being supported by Total Lubmarine. Other ISWAN services include its relief funds for seafarers and their family members plus a range of health information resources.

Roger Harris, Executive Director of ISWAN, said: ‘These have been difficult times for seafarers particularly around the present pandemic lock down and mobility restrictions offshore and onshore, which is why we are so pleased to receive this donation from Total Lubmarine. The company is generously supporting ISWAN’s ‘SeafarerHelp’ 24-hour helpline, and we are incredibly grateful to have the backing of Total Lubmarine and at a time when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) launched its 2020 global awareness “Seafarers are key workers” campaign.’

Based in the UK, ISWAN has a global remit and engages more than 100 different seafaring nationalities. Its latest helpline programme supports landline telephone connections but also provides advice and guidance through other means including mobile, webchat and WhatsApp.

ISWAN is funded by membership subscriptions, grants from foundations, sponsorship and earned income, including the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, The TK Foundation, Seafarers UK and Trafigura Foundation. It works with companies, unions, governments, welfare organizations and ports for the implementation of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, and supports those who establish and provide welfare facilities and services at ports and on ships.