Suicides at sea

[John Arton]

The tragic suicide of the nurse that took her own life after taking the call from the two OZ DJ's brings to light just how big an impact a prank such as played on her, can affect a hard working concientious person.
Moving on.
Suicide rates amongst seafarers are rising at an alarming rate, I have some statiscs which I got for a lesson that I teach and in time will post these, suffice to say that a number of international bodies and organisations are becoming quite alarmed at the rise in suicides. They reckon that the smaller crews on these huge contairships etc. are breeding a bunch of seafarers that in later life will suffer mental problems that may lead to further suicides or an inability to mingle in normal society due to them spending so long a period sailing for long periods where they have little or no contact with other humans beyond brief periods handing over watches and off duty time being usually spent alone in a cabin as all on board are either working or sleeping, so no social gathering in the lounges etc.
Just a thought...perhaps thats why most of us like to stay in the past.
rgds
JA

[John Pruden]

john i live close to the seaforth terminal some are turned around in hours its just a job to seamen i don't think we could stick it now days no time ashore hangovers and the camaraderie of a good crew no not for me a friend of mine his son works on a {box boat} he's been down to oz three times and not even gone ashore yet. time is money they can't be happy ships.jp

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Tragic loss of a good woman , and a very sad time for her family, Only came across one at sea, he had a dear john letter and vanished at sea dont know how he did it ? He was on watch I had to called him he was not in his cabin empty, not on ship? Did not go to inquest or anything? he was the only one!!!

[Tony Wilding]

No way could i go to sea in this age, no time ashore, no time with other crew members, if you can find any, ? being on a Box Boat, cant see much, unless on watch on the bridge, must be real lonely, that huge new box boat Marco Polo has 13 crew, does not seem feasable, not for safe running, i hear many have no cook, use pre packed frozen food, YUK,

[John Arton]

When I sailed with Scandinavians they always said that if a ship mate disappeared at sea and left his shoes on the deck where he had jumped from, then that was suicide and it was to tell his ex. crew mates not to turn round and search for him.
I do know of at least one incident where this occurred but is there any truth in this or is it just a myth?
rgds
JA

[Lou Barron]

We had a few suicides in Changi Jail but they were army personel out of about 250 MN guys not one we seemed to have a different attitude to our confinement

[robpage]

We had a few suicides in Changi Jail but they were army personel out of about 250 MN guys not one we seemed to have a different attitude to our confinement

I went around that Museum there Charles in 2009 , and sat in the chapel for a long time recovering , My late father was a Royal Marine and ashore there on the first day when Singapore was retaken , he would never discuss what he had seen , I was shocked walking around that museum , as the aged parent was a young man in his early twenties , I know what a profound experience the relief of Changi had been to him . That place is not a museum for tourists , I am glad I went around it though , it gave me an insight into some things that I believe had affected him , and he was only one of the relieving troops ,

[Robert T. Bush]

Where are the Unions when they are needed?

The US Unions have agreed to nine men ( a tug's complement) to man tug barge units of 30,000 tons and up.
The USCG who claim to be driven by regard for safety concurred on this and to one man bridges.

Who controls the flag states like Denmark who allow 12 men minimum manning scales on a VLCC.

Is a company named M....the tail that is wagging the dog?

Masters are being charged as criminals, while owners whine and profess their inocense.

[Captain Kong]

From 1952 to 1995 I never sailed on a ship that had a suicide.
So the conditions of loneliness must have an effect.
Brian.

[Les Woodard]

There have been quiet a few suicides here on ships around NSW mainly FOC ships due to poor conditions and pay. Only ever done one trip in single cabin ship and that is the reason I now reside here. Was the most unhappiest ship that I sailed on even beat the Esso Chelsea that only plied the Thames between power stations and only lasted the five days it took to work out my notice. Have said it before and repeat myself again. When we where at sea it was a way of life. Today it is only a job.