Arabic version: نقص المتطوعين يهدد إجازات البحارة على الشاطئ في الموانئ الإقليمية

According to ABC News, international seafarers’ access to shore leave at Australian regional ports is under pressure as the volunteer workforce supporting transport and welfare services ages. The Mission to Seafarers charity provides support in many ports, including free shuttle buses that are often the only authorised transport for crews.

Australia has signed the Maritime Labour Convention (2006), a United Nations charter stating that international seafarers should be able to leave port for time on land. Mission to Seafarers Portland chapter manager Neville Mason said crews had sometimes gone three months or longer without stepping ashore before arriving in Australia.

The Portland welfare centre offers a shop, prayer room and recreation spaces, alongside internet access, transport, currency exchange and medical support. Sailor Paul Gegremosa said shore leave gave him a chance to buy food and groceries, sightsee and relieve stress during a six-month contract away from his family in the Philippines.

About 5,000 seafarers pass through the Port of Portland each year, with Mr Mason saying almost all use the welfare centre. It operates daily from 11am to 10pm, except Christmas Day, but the chapter has fewer than 20 volunteers with an average age of 80. Two volunteers are required for each shift: one to run the centre and another to drive the bus.

Human Rights at Sea ambassador Paul MacGillivary said the volunteer model was unsustainable and called for a federal levy modelled on New Zealand’s system. Introduced in 2024, the New Zealand arrangement has contributed about $1 million in grants to welfare centres and transport services this year. A federal transport minister’s spokesperson said vessels, ports and Port Welfare Committees were responsible for ensuring Maritime Labour Convention rights were met.