The threat of prosecution from a criminal investigation should never be held against an individual seafarer where there is no evidence against them, according to InterManager.
InterManager is the only organisation dedicated to representing the ship management industry, and its Secretary General Capt Kuba Szymanski said it was unacceptable that seafarers should be criminalised even when not found personally responsible as part of an investigation.
Capt Szymanski was speaking as the maritime industry comes together on June 25th 2025 to mark Day of the Seafarer, spearheaded by the IMO, which this year takes the theme of My Harrassment-Free Ship.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation added: “Seafarers are often unfairly blamed and convicted when their vessel is involved in a maritime incident.”
It continued: “The situations in which seafarers can get caught up in criminal investigations include incidences of marine pollution, accidents at sea or even in port, and when illicit cargo is found on board. They are sometimes convicted and imprisoned, even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing.”
The IMO’s campaign this year aims to promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at sea. What’s needed to back this up is a willingness to enforce regulations, says InterManager, which represents the global ship management sector.
Capt Szymanski said: “Harassment is a safety issue and should be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as any other life-threatening risk at sea. What we need is real enforcement, not just policies or pledges.”
InterManager has been an outspoken advocate for better safety measures at sea. The association has collated meaningful statistics in relation to enclosed space deaths, lifeboat safety, and the criminalisation of seafarers, in order to inform international debate at the highest level.
With Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), InterManager is working closely with regulators to improve safety at sea.
“Seafarers are the lifeblood of our industry but they should never pay with their lives for our trade,” stated Capt Szymanski. “It is vital that the global maritime community works together to ensure that the physical and mental well-being of seafarers is of the highest priority.”
“Today we recognise and celebrate seafarers everywhere and thank them for their service. We must ensure we continue to support them every day and put their safety at the centre of all we do.”
