Despite a few favourable developments, the situation in the seafarers’ world "has not really improved". Actually, there are new dangers, such as "piracy, criminalisation, restrictions on leaving ship, more stress and exhaustion", conditions on board fishing boats that "often verge on the inhuman" and "illegal recruitment of fishing crew". It’s a long list, that of the problems that affect the living and working conditions of seafarers and fishing communities, as illustrated in the final statement of the meeting of the regional coordinators of the Apostolate of the Sea, that met over the last few days in Rome on the invitation of the Papal Council of the Pastoral for Migrants and Travellers. The meeting was attended by representatives from every part of the world, who spoke of problems and prospects. Eastern Europe, southern Africa and Oceanian islands, reads the document, "need efforts and more attention for promoting the apostolate of the sea". The statement wishes, in particular, that the ILO (the International Labour Organisation) may draw up a Maritime Convention to update the over 60 international deeds on the working conditions of seafarers. On a pastoral level, a chaplains’ handbook is expected to be drawn up and more attention to be paid to some developing areas (such as cruisers) or neglected areas (short-sea, river and lake navigation, navigation along the coasts or amidst islands).
