Port Welfare Accreditation Dashboard

Port Welfare Accreditation Dashboard | MNWB

Introduction to Survey Findings on Port Welfare Accreditation

The Port Welfare Accreditation Self-Assessment survey was conducted to evaluate the standards of welfare provisions available to seafarers across various ports. The survey assessed the following key aspects of Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Regulations:

  • Shore leave and repatriation
  • Food and catering
  • Medical care on board ship and ashore
  • Access to shore-based welfare facilities

The results provide insights into how well ports facilitate seafarers' well-being, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Topics covered include communication links, ease of movement within port estates, access to welfare services, and infrastructure supporting seafarers' basic needs, such as food, medical care, and internet access.

This dashboard provides data on the findings from the survey, highlighting common challenges faced by seafarers and best practices adopted by ports. The aim is to use these insights to enhance port welfare accreditation standards and improve the overall experience of seafarers visiting these facilities.

UK Ports Surveyed · 12 ports · 15 responses
Responding Ports
  • ABP Humber Estuary
  • ABP Southampton
  • Bristol Port Company
  • Falmouth
  • Fowey Harbour
  • Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
  • Peterhead Port Authority
  • Port of Blyth
  • Port of Cromarty Firth
  • Port of Felixstowe
  • Shoreham Port
  • Tor Bay Harbour

Shore Leave & Repatriation

MLC Regulation 2.3 ensures seafarers have the right to go ashore during their time in port, supporting their wellbeing and mental health.

Crew changes are an essential aspect of maritime operations. Ports should facilitate crew changes in accordance with MLC Regulation 2.1 to enable seafarers to join and leave vessels as required.

Access to transport within port estates and taxi services helps seafarers reach welfare facilities, medical care, and services ashore.

For further information, refer to Regulation 2.3 and Regulation 2.4 – Entitlement to leave of the MLC, 2006.

MLC 2006 (page 37) ↗
Does the port facilitate shore leave?
Does the port facilitate crew changes?
Are seafarers provided access to transport within the port?
Are taxis allowed into the port?
Respondent comments
What is preventing the port from facilitating shore leave?
Falmouth
Short visits to anchorage only and no alongside berths. A/S berths at Baleana (Falmouth Docks) which is a separate Harbour Authority. We are non-ISPS facility.
What is preventing the access of transport within the port?
Tor Bay Harbour
Not feasible — able to walk.
Falmouth
No landing facilities available in Falmouth Harbour CHA.
What is preventing the availability of taxis within the port?
ABP Humber Estuary
Operations.
Port of Felixstowe
Safety considerations. Arrangements have been made to allow crew access to vessels via ship's agents and Seafarers Centre.

Shore Leave & Repatriation

Seafarers must have freedom of movement within the port estate. The ability to walk through port areas is essential for seafarers to access welfare facilities, public transport, and services ashore.

MLC Regulation 2.3 states that seafarers must be allowed ashore during the ship's time in port when operations permit. Restrictions on movement through port estates can significantly impact seafarers' wellbeing.

Port security measures should be implemented in a way that does not unnecessarily restrict seafarers' freedom of movement or dignity while enabling safe and secure port operations.

Ports are encouraged to provide clear, well-signed pedestrian routes through port estates so seafarers can navigate safely and independently.

Can seafarers walk through the port estate to exit the port or access welfare facilities?
Respondent comments
What is preventing seafarers from being able to walk through the port estate to exit the port or to access welfare facilities?
ABP Humber Estuary
Safety considerations according to operations.
Port of Felixstowe
Safety considerations. A mini-bus service is provided between 10:00 and 22:00 for vessel access to Seafarers Centre.
Falmouth
Non-ISPS.

Shore Leave & Repatriation

Quality shore leave experiences are proven to have a positive impact on seafarers' wellbeing and mental health.

Seafarers must be allowed to take enough leave for their well-being in line with MLC Regulation 2.4 – Entitlement to leave.

Seafarers have the right to return home at no personal cost in specific situations, as outlined in Regulation 2.5 – Repatriation.

MLC 2006 (page 37) ↗
Are written or electronic resources available to seafarers on seafarer centres, welfare organisations and maritime trade unions?
Is the port represented at your local MNWB Port Welfare Committee?
Is your port represented at a forum to discuss best practice on seafarer entitlement to leave or repatriation?
Is information on seafarers' welfare promoted to port staff?
Is there a communications link between the port and the MCA regarding violations of MLC 2006 with regard to denial of shore leave?
Respondent comments
What is the name of the forum attended by port representatives to discuss best practice on seafarer entitlement to leave or repatriation?
Peterhead Port Authority
BPA, UKHMA, stakeholder.
ABP Southampton
BPA, UKHMA, UKMPG.
Port of Felixstowe
MNWB Committee Meeting – Felixstowe; UKHMA, UKMPG, PSS, BPA.
Tor Bay Harbour
South West Regional Port Association.
Bristol Port Company
UKHMA.
Shoreham Port
UKHMA, BPA, PSS, PWC, SASHMA, MCA Southern Safety Group.
Fowey Harbour
MNWB, UKHMA, SWRPA, BPA Regional Ports Group, UKMPA.
Port of Blyth
UKHMA, BPA, NE Ports Group.
Falmouth
SWRPA.
What information on seafarers' welfare is promoted to port staff and how is it promoted?
ABP Humber Estuary
Via employee comms and CSR committee.
Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
Seafit health checks.
ABP Southampton
Support seafarer societies in visiting and maintaining relations with ships crews. Berthing Officers and Pilots will raise any concerns observed with crews or crew facilities during their normal duties. VTS often intervene with H&S issues that may arise (gangway safety etc).
Port of Felixstowe
Seafarer support documentation on internal intranet/briefs.
Tor Bay Harbour
Reporting when something does not look right (crew conditions/safety/condition of vessel).
Shoreham Port
Verbal reports and discussed at Marine monthly meeting; regular walk rounds on quayside.
Fowey Harbour
Annual training day for port staff, attended by multiple agencies including Border Force who present on modern slavery challenges and highlight issues staff should be alert to.
Please provide details of the communication link between the port and the MCA
ABP Humber Estuary
Comms with MCA.
Port of Cromarty Firth
Good working relationship with Aberdeen Marine Office. No specific procedure/policy in place.
Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
Contact with the Aberdeen MCA.
Peterhead Port Authority
Local Aberdeen MCA office.
ABP Southampton
ABP Southampton have a very good relationship with the MCA Southampton Marine Office. VTS report any ship defects or MLC compliance issues directly to the duty surveyor, which often results in a PSC inspection being undertaken.
Port of Felixstowe
Port personnel (pilots primarily) will highlight any instances/breaches of MLC directly to the MCA through HIMDIS reporting system — reports sent directly to MCA Colchester office. Constant dialogue with MCA Head Office and surveyors.
Bristol Port Company
Regular communications with local Cardiff Marine Office.
Fowey Harbour
Excellent relationship between MCA and FHC via Steve Meakin.
Port of Blyth
Port has an ongoing relationship with local MCA inspectors.
Falmouth
Plymouth regional office.

Food & Catering

MLC Regulation 3.2 ensures seafarers have access to good quality food and clean drinking water.

MLC 2006 (page 59) ↗

Ships must provide enough food and drinking water that meet appropriate standards for quality, nutrition and quantity. Provisions should respect the seafarers' cultural and religious food preferences.

Food and water must be provided free of charge during the seafarers' time working on the ship.

Seafarers must also be able to restock food, water, fuel and supplies.

Are vehicles permitted to deliver essential stores and supplies directly to the vessel, and if not, are stores delivered by boat in the event the jetty cannot be accessed?

Medical care on board ship and ashore

As specified in MLC Regulation 4.1, if a seafarer is seriously ill or injured, they must be allowed to leave the ship promptly to receive appropriate treatment ashore.

MLC 2006 (page 62) ↗

When in port, seafarers should have access to:

  • Outpatient treatment for sickness or injuries
  • Hospitalisation if needed
  • Emergency dental care

Seafarers should be able to access medical treatment in ports easily, regardless of their nationality or religion.

Can seafarers leave the port estate to receive medical care?
Can medical professionals access the ship if required?
Can emergency vehicles (e.g. Ambulances or Fire Engines) access the port if required?
Respondent comments
What is preventing emergency vehicles from being able to access the port if required?
Falmouth
No alongside berths — vessels are at anchor.

Access to Shore-Based Welfare Facilities

Crew must be able to access services ashore that support their health and well-being under MLC Regulation 4.4, which covers welfare facilities and services in ports.

MLC 2006 (page 78) ↗

Welfare facilities could include:

  • Meeting and recreational spaces
  • Sports areas and activities
  • Educational opportunities
  • Spaces for religious activities or personal support
Can Ship Welfare Visitors access vessels in the port?
Do seafarers have access to free WiFi in the port?
Is there a Welfare Levy Scheme in place at this port?
Is there a seafarer's centre within or close to the port?
Does the port have a Modern Slavery policy?
If yes, how far from the port is the seafarer's centre? (12 ports with a centre)
Within the port6 of 12
Less than ½ mile away5 of 12
More than 1 mile away1 of 12
Respondent comments
What is preventing ship welfare visitors from accessing the port?
ABP Humber Estuary
Security.
Shoreham Port
Permission from the master.
Do seafarers have access to free WiFi in the port? — please provide more details
ABP Humber Estuary
When MiFi available.
Port of Cromarty Firth
No facilities within the port; however WiFi is available locally at the seafarers centre and other local facilities.
Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
Not all fishing vessels will have WiFi on board and crew members may need to use public resources.
Peterhead Port Authority
No WiFi provided.
Port of Felixstowe
No WiFi supplied by port, but Seafarers Centre provides free WiFi and MiFi.
Tor Bay Harbour
No infrastructure.
Bristol Port Company
Available in the Seafarer's Centre. Ship visitors also take portable WiFi units on board for crew to use. There is currently no full coverage of the port for free WiFi.
Port of Blyth
The port does not have a public WiFi system throughout. WiFi is only available in office buildings. This may be subject to change in the future.
Falmouth
Not applicable as vessels are at anchor.
Is there a Welfare Levy Scheme in place at this port? — please provide more details
Port of Cromarty Firth
Hasn't been discussed.
Port of Felixstowe
Port does not support this initiative.
Tor Bay Harbour
Not aware of any grants.
Port of Blyth
We currently do not have a welfare levy in place; however we are in early discussions to see if we can bring this in.