Seafarers call for fair recovery in powerful new video

UK maritime professionals from across the breadth of the industry have united to call for fairness in a new video produced by Nautilus International.

The video features eleven seafarers from a range of sectors, who each speak one line to convey a powerful message about the crucial role of maritime professionals during the pandemic. As the world begins to plan for a time beyond Covid, the video warns the UK government and maritime industry not to forget about seafarers.

The short film was premiered at the Mersey Maritime Exchange on the Day of the Seafarer (25 June). The event was attended by high-profile figures from across the industry, including three government Ministers, and was addressed by Nautilus general secretary, Mark Dickinson.

The video is part of the Union's Build Back Fairer campaign, which aims to put Nautilus and its members at the heart of the conversation about the recovery of the maritime industry from Covid-19.

The Script
When the pandemic hit and the world ground to a halt, seafarers kept on working

From keeping the shelves stocked to transporting medicines including vaccines

We were on the front-line of Covid

That's why we were designated as key workers

But despite our efforts, the pandemic hit us hard

Many of us suffered redundancies, loss of income, and cuts to our working conditions

Travel restrictions left many of us trapped at sea unable to be with family and loved ones. 

And new outbreaks mean borders being closed and seafarers left stranded

Now as we look towards the kind of future that we want to see

Our message is simple: don't forget about seafarers

Let's build a positive future and inspire the next generation to perform our vital roles at sea

Don’t just build back better – build back fairer