ISWAN
ISWAN is an international non governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes the welfare of seafarers worldwide.
Their website is http://seafarerswelfare.org/
ISWAN runs ‘SeafarerHelp’, www.seafarerhelp.org/ that provides a 24/7 helpline.
Whether it’s a problem with life on the ship; life at home; a worry about health; or simply to be able to talk to someone in confidence about any subject at all; then SeafarerHelp can offer advice. SeafarerHelp is a free service, available to all seafarers and their family members.
ISWAN are also involved in the ‘Training on Board’ programme, www.trainingonboard.org/ which is designed to persuade seafarers to pursue a healthy lifestyle. This programme is referred to in the second of North’s loss prevention briefings on ‘Crew Health & Welfare’, entitled ‘Fitness’,
The third briefing in the same series, entitled ‘Welfare’ highlighted ISWAN’s report on ‘Port Welfare and Sustainable Welfare for Seafarers’. This report lists some of the industry ‘best practices’ relating to on-board facilities for sea-staff.