Free onboard calls to ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp hotline
Crew onboard vessels with KVH VSAT services can now make free voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls to the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network’s (ISWAN) SeafarerHelp phone line, a confidential 24-hour hotline to provide assistance and support the mental wellbeing of crew members at sea.
The free VoIP calls to SeafarerHelp are available immediately from KVH VSAT vessels; seafarers simply use a VoIP phone on the vessel and call the helpline: +44 (0)20 7323 2737. A press release from KVH said the free calls to the charity helpline were being offered in a bid to support seafarer wellbeing.
“In our experience, we have seen that seafarer issues range from the simple to the complex and the most pressing need is having someone empathetic to confide in, which can be challenging in the onboard environment. This hotline is dedicated to ensuring seafarers speak to someone in time, and with KVH’s involvement they can do so without having to worry about technical issues or data costs,” Roger Harris, executive director of ISWAN said.
ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp hotline is multilingual and available 365 days a year.
