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The BMA are participating in CrewConnect Europe (Virtual Event)

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is delighted to have two representatives taking part in CrewConnect Europe. The theme for this conference is “Moving Forward with Seafarers and their Families” – a subject very close to the heart of The BMA.

Date of event: 21 June 09:20 – 10:10

Capt. Oli Olsen
Oli Olsen,
Head of The BMA’s
Seafarer’s & Manning Department

Oli Olsen, Deputy Director Seafarers and Manning at The BMA, took part in a panel discussion, moderated by Torbjørn Eide, Vice President of Klaveness Shipmanagement and entitled Crew Change Crisis – Lessons Learned and Future Challenges.

Over a year from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conditions which led to the crew change crisis are still there, draining the resources of owners, ship managers and seafarers alike. The panel focused on the following:

  • An inventory: what actions have maritime organisations, associations and owners taken to alleviate the crew change crisis?
  • An assessment: what could have been done more or differently, in hindsight? What is different this year?
  • A plan: how to ensure we don’t hit a breaking point this year?

Alongside Oli on the panel were: Natalie Shaw, Director Employment Affairs at The International Chamber of Shipping; Justyna Bartnicka, Policy Officer at The European Commission; Peter Smit, CEO of Boers Crew Services and Capt. Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Ship Management, Acting Senior Vice President Offshore Logistics at ADNOC Logistics and Services.

Tom Jenkins, Head of The BMA’s Investigation Department

Date of event: 22 June 2021 09:00 – 10:00

Tomorrow’s session, Building Resilience for Seafarers and Their Families, features a panel led by Ben Bailey, Director of Advocacy at The Mission to Seafarers.  Tom Jenkins, Deputy Director and Head of Casualty and Investigations at The BMA, will be joined by fellow panellists Yves Vandenborn, Director of Loss Prevention at The Standard Club and Pam Kern, Founder of Happiness at Sea.

This session explores what it means to be mentally resilient and discusses techniques and resources to help prepare the seafarers of tomorrow. It asks the panel to consider what seafarers would tell their younger selves to prepare for working at sea? Resilience is a maritime buzzword, but what does it mean and how can we ensure seafarers, and their families, are mentally prepared for a life at sea and apart from their loved ones?  

To learn more about the conference or to register for events visit the CrewConnect Europe Virtual Event website.