The Marine Society has launched a new service that brings real benefits to seafarers and also holds appeal for ship operators.

The Assistant Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, Andy Winbow, presided at an event at IMO on 1 May that was timed to coincide with STW 43, which saw a gathering of over 300 delegates representing the world’s ship operators.

Captain Winbow told delegates that recreational books remain popular at sea, providing a welcome refuge from the pressures of shipboard life: “Even in these days of laptops, netbooks, kindles and iPads, there’s nothing to beat picking up and becoming immersed in a good book at sea”.

If we’re to attract the young, dynamic talent our industry needs then the employment conditions of seafarers must, at the very least, be comparable to those found in other industries. We must pay attention to seafarers’ living conditions, welfare and recreational needs.

The Maritime Labour Convention acknowledges this and for the first time sets out what must be done. Amongst its recommendations is that ‘ships be equipped with a regularly refreshed supply of quality books for the benefit of sea staff’.

The Marine Society offers its crew book service on a not for profit basis. The service can make a genuine contribution to crew well being, whilst at the same time helping ship operators to meet their obligations under the MLC.

IMO delegates were reminded that fatigue amongst seafarers is an acknowledged and growing challenge for the industry.

“Anything that offers a means of escape and relaxation from the pressures of shipboard life, however ephemeral, is a positive contribution to a corporate safety culture” said Captain Winbow, who also serves as Director of the Maritime Safety Division at the IMO.