The World of the Seafarer : Qualitative Accounts of Working in the Global Shipping Industry

"This open access book constitutes an ethnographic mosaic which depicts the contextual complexities of the life and work of seafarers who are employed in the international merchant cargo fleet. The collection is based upon the observations and interviews of researchers in multiple disciplines. It is woven together to offer a richly detailed insight into the ways in which a complex global industry operates internationally. The book covers issues to do with career decisions and recruitment, gender, life and work on board multinational vessels, health and safety issues, the regulation of the industry, shipboard roles and role conflict, and the representation of workers. It will be of considerable interest to all students globally who are studying for professional seafaring qualifications, to graduate students studying for masters courses in ship and port management, and to welfare professionals and policy makers. It is of special interest to those connected to the shipping industry who specialize in issues relating to 'the human element' and will serve as a paradigm defining text in this area."-- Provided by publisher Acknowledgements 6 Contents 7 Chapter 1: Introduction 9 References 13 Part I: Going to Sea 14 Chapter 2: A Taste of the Sea: Artisanal Fishing Communities in the Philippines 15 Introduction 15 The Importance of the Sea 16 From Fishing to Seafaring 20 Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities for Filipino Seafarers 24 References 25 Chapter 3: Recruiting and Managing Labour for the Global Shipping Industry in China 29 Introduction 29 The Idea of `Going Global ́ 29 China ́s Economic Reform, Seafarer Labour Market Reform and Ship Crewing Agencies 32 Two Types of SCAs in China and the Two Agencies in the Case Studies 34 The Control of the Higher Institutions 35 The Support of Higher Institutions 37 Lack of Reform of Management Strategies in SA 38 Conclusion 39 References 40 Chapter 4: Can the UK Tonnage Tax Minimum Training Obligation Address Declining Cadet Recruitment and Training in the UK? 42 Introduction 42 Globalisation and Decline in British Shipping 44 The Impact on Seafarer Training and Skills 46 The Tonnage Tax Minimum Training Obligation and Its Impact 47 The Shortcomings of the Minimum Training Obligation 49 Concluding Assessment: The Peril of Supply-Side Labour Market Policies 51 References 53 Chapter 5: Careers at Sea: Exploring Seafarer Motivations and Aspirations 55 Introduction 55 Going to Sea: Influences on Joining 57 Leaving the Sea: Attrition Influences 59 Staying at Sea: Retention Factors 62 Conclusion 63 References 64 Chapter 6: Women Seafarers: An Analysis of Barriers to Their Employment 68 Introduction 68 Gender Segregation in Seafaring Occupations 69 Why Are Women Seafarers Still a Minority? 70 Advancements in the Promotion of Women Seafarers 71 Occupational Culture and Barriers for Women Seafarers 73 A Lack of Awareness and Knowledge About Women at Sea 74 Slow Development of Effective Policies and Strategies for Women Seafarers 75 Conclusion 76 References 77 Part II: Being at Sea 80 Chapter 7: Transitions and Adjustments Made by Seafarers Whilst at Sea 81 Introduction 81 Life as a Seafarer 82 The Beginning of a Tour 83 The Middle of a Tour 85 The End of a Tour 86 Conclusion 87 References 88 Chapter 8: The Rhythms of Shipboard Life: Work, Hierarchy, Occupational Culture and Multinational Crews 89 Introduction 89 The Dominance of Work 90 Hierarchies and the Social Order 92 Occupational Culture and Multinational Crews 96 Conclusion 99 References 99 Chapter 9: The Experience of Being a Filipino Seafarer on a Multinationally Crewed Ship 101 Introduction 101 Trends in Seafaring in the Philippines 102 The Rise of Contractual Work and Developments in the Shipping Industry 103 Shipboard Life 104 Language and Communication 105 Coping and Enduring: Socialization on Board 107 Forming Names 109 Tales of Threats and Revenge 110 Conclusion 111 References 112 Chapter 10: Environmental Management at Sea: What Being `Green ́ Means for Seafarers 114 The Regulatory Framework for Reducing Atmospheric and Marine Pollution from Ships 115 Greening the Shipping Industry: Seafarers ́ Practices and Perceptions 117 Conclusions 124 References 126 Chapter 11: Safety Aboard Chinese Vessels 128 Introduction 128 Contradictory Messages from Managers 130 The Publicly Stated Commitment by Managers to Reporting: `We Encourage Reporting ́ 130 The Received Message from Management: `Fewer Reports are Better ́ 131 The Message Conveyed to the Crew: If Accidents Occur Then There Must Be Something `Wrong ́ with the on Board Supervision 132 Biased Reporting and Underlying Social Factors 133 Conclusion 138 References 139 Chapter 12: Multiple Roles and Role Conflict: Seafarers As Economic, Humanitarian and Security Actors 141 Introduction 141 Rescuing Migrants in the Mediterranean Sea 142 Stowaways 146 Conclusion 150 References 150 Part III: Support for Seafarers and Their Families 154 Chapter 13: Union Organising in the Context of Regional Labour Market Decline: The Case of Nautilus International 155 Introduction 155 The British Seafaring Labour Market in Decline 157 The Nautilus International Project: Considering the Process, Motivation and Outcomes 160 Concluding Assessment: Why Was the Merger Important and for Whom? 165 References 168 Chapter 14: Trade Union Representation in the Philippines 170 Introduction 170 Philippine Industrial Relations: A Brief History 170 Unionising Seafarers 174 Features of the Philippine Maritime Labour Movement 178 Cronyism 178 Servicing 179 Fragmentation 180 Conclusion 182 References 183 Chapter 15: On-Line Support Groups for Families in China 185 Introduction 185 Sharing and Managing Problems on the Website 186 Nurturing Seafaring Relationships 190 A Specialised Community 191 Conclusion 192 References 193 Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction (Helen Sampson)....Pages 1-5 Front Matter ....Pages 7-7 A Taste of the Sea: Artisanal Fishing Communities in the Philippines (Nelson Turgo)....Pages 9-22 Recruiting and Managing Labour for the Global Shipping Industry in China (Zhiwei Zhao)....Pages 23-35 Can the UK Tonnage Tax Minimum Training Obligation Address Declining Cadet Recruitment and Training in the UK? (Victor Oyaro Gekara)....Pages 37-49 Careers at Sea: Exploring Seafarer Motivations and Aspirations (Polina Baum-Talmor)....Pages 51-63 Women Seafarers: An Analysis of Barriers to Their Employment (Momoko Kitada)....Pages 65-76 Front Matter ....Pages 77-77 Transitions and Adjustments Made by Seafarers Whilst at Sea (Helen Devereux)....Pages 79-86 The Rhythms of Shipboard Life: Work, Hierarchy, Occupational Culture and Multinational Crews (Helen Sampson)....Pages 87-98 The Experience of Being a Filipino Seafarer on a Multinationally Crewed Ship (Iris Acejo)....Pages 99-111 Environmental Management at Sea: What Being ‘Green’ Means for Seafarers (Ngwatung Akamangwa)....Pages 113-126 Safety Aboard Chinese Vessels (Conghua Xue)....Pages 127-139 Multiple Roles and Role Conflict: Seafarers As Economic, Humanitarian and Security Actors (Amaha Senu)....Pages 141-153 Front Matter ....Pages 155-155 Union Organising in the Context of Regional Labour Market Decline: The Case of Nautilus International (Victor Oyaro Gekara)....Pages 157-171 Trade Union Representation in the Philippines (Ralph Buiser)....Pages 173-187 On-Line Support Groups for Families in China (Lijun Tang)....Pages 189-198 This open access book constitutes an ethnographic mosaic which depicts the contextual complexities of the life and work of seafarers who are employed in the international merchant cargo fleet. The collection is based upon the observations and interviews of researchers in multiple disciplines. It is woven together to offer a richly detailed insight into the ways in which a complex global industry operates internationally. The book covers issues to do with career decisions and recruitment, gender, life and work on board multinational vessels, health and safety issues, the regulation of the industry, shipboard roles and role conflict, and the representation of workers. It will be of considerable interest to all students globally who are studying for professional seafaring qualifications, to graduate students studying for masters courses in ship and port management, and to welfare professionals and policy makers. DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-49825-2