FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin Maritime health and welfare experts are calling on the shipping industry to recognize free, reliable internet access as a basic human right for seafarers. SAFETY4SEA was the first to champion this cause, launching a petition in January 2024 to classify internet connectivity as an essential need for seafarers. As the pioneer of this initiative, SAFETY4SEA welcomes the growing support and urges more companies to sign the petition and join the movement for free internet access at sea. Despite advancements in ship technology, many crew members still face limited or unaffordable internet access while at sea. This results in prolonged isolation, with some seafarers unable to speak to loved ones for weeks or even months. The lack of connectivity—combined with long working hours and rising geopolitical pressures—is having a serious impact on mental and physical health across the sector. RelatedNews The human element at sea: Safety culture, psychological safety and leadership Future-ready seafarers: Bridging technical excellence and human competence var jnews_module_21339747_0_6a0405a01a6df = {"header_icon":"","first_title":"Related","second_title":"News","url":"","header_type":"heading_8","header_background":"","header_secondary_background":"","header_text_color":"","header_line_color":"","header_accent_color":"","header_filter_category":"","header_filter_author":"","header_filter_tag":"","header_filter_cpt_post_tag":"","header_filter_cpt_tribe_events_cat":"","header_filter_cpt_web_story_category":"","header_filter_cpt_web_story_tag":"","header_filter_text":"All","sticky_post":false,"sticky_post_filter":false,"post_type":"post","content_type":"all","sponsor":false,"number_post":"2","post_offset":0,"unique_content":"unique1","include_post":"","included_only":false,"exclude_post":"21339747","include_category":"","exclude_category":"","include_author":"","include_tag":"2500,458,3908,262,467,3580,2341","exclude_tag":"","exclude_visited_post":false,"