Maritime Safety Week

Our Ref: HSR/1/9
Head Office Circular: NP/238/21
6th July 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

MARITIME SAFETY WEEK

Further to Head Office Circular NP/220 (Maritime Mental Health), dated 24th June, I would like to update members on some current RMT activities during Maritime Safety Week

New maritime posters are being circulated to all Maritime Branches, Lead Officers with Maritime responsibilities and Mental Health First Aiders
Social media updates have been posted highlighting RMT’s recent surveys about Maritime Mental Health
A template letter has been sent out to Regional Organisers with maritime responsibilities in order to contact employers where RMT has a relationship/ recognition and a matrix compiled of employer approach to mental health. These letters ask companies whether they have an Employee Assistance Programme in place and what the EAP consist of at each company and emphasise the issue of sleep problems as a result of mental health issues in safety critical roles, together with provisions such as the importance of quiet spaces and basics such as mattresses, pillows, duvets
I have linked up with MIND and See Me Scotland to share resources and information
I have asked to meet with Togetherall (formerly Big White Wall)
I have written to the Seafarers Hospital Society in terms of what RMT is trying to achieve
I have contacted the National Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Committee to determine what discussions have taken place previously on maritime mental health with a view to having this placed on next week’s meeting agenda and initiating a joint campaign.

Regarding lifeboat safety, a separate circular will be issued shortly, but I can inform members that:

Following the survey of members, all companies who we have bargaining arrangement or relations with have been informed of our Campaign and asking them what they do in terms of policies and procedures, sharing our concerns and offering to work with them.
The International Transport Workers Federation and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have been contacted, providing a resume of the RMT survey and seeking further discussion with the MCA
The Cypriot and Bahamian flag states have been contacted similarly.


Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary