The crew of many ships have no regular high speed internet connection. Being out at sea sometimes for as many as 50 days during a long voyage means the only option for internet connection is via satellite. This kind of internet connection is very expensive. Some crew are charged $100 for 1GB of data. Others on board cruise ships also have to pay very high charges to avail of high speed internet; and in most cases the connection speed is not very fast - too slow for Skype video chat or YouTube. Finding local WiFi, sim cards, or global roaming sims are usually what crew are looking for in each port.
During a merchant/cargo/passenger ship contract of 9 months communication with family, parents, wife, children and friends is essential. But sometimes due to the nature of life at sea and the expense involved the communication time is very limited each day. Sometimes only 10 minutes talking time is all crew can expect per day using the satellite phone.
Indonesian fishermen said "our contract is 2 or 3 years on board with no holidays; our salary is $300 per month!" They have no internet option!
Ship cyber security is of high importance! Companies must protect against viruses like ransomware getting into their systems. It could be like a contagious disease breaking out on a passenger ship causing chaos.
Piracy is a danger seafarers are familiar with; but internet piracy is now surfacing more as a threat companies must guard against.
Being without internet some crew from Ukraine said "it's like we are living in a cave in the stone-age! We have no news from the outside world or from home!" Sometimes being at sea is like being in a watery desert and it can mean a time lag in catching up with the news. Of course before the days of internet or mobile phone a letter to or from a ship might take as long as a year to reach the family!
Indian seafarers with no internet for a week. Ransomware was too much of a risk. The crew were so happy to get sims with local internet and to avail of wifi in the port. Sad news was breaking about a terrorist attack in Manchester...
No internet access on board. Company safeguard. Temporary suspension of internet service for crew is understandable.
60% is a high number! Thankfully many ports and ship welfare charities like Seamen's Clubs are helping bridge the gap.
Just heard the sad news of tragic loss of life in a bombing in Manchester. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families!"
BEN STANSALL VIA GETTY IMAGES
Filipino seafarers: "Our ship has been at sea for almost 3 years! This is our first time ashore in 10 months of being on board!"
Seafarers are at sea to make a living for their families "Another day; another dollar!"
The life of a sailor is not easy!
Click this link (and select HD quality) to watch a talented Filipino cook singing about the life of a sailor on Facebook:
