News: EBI raises money, ISWAN helps seafarers, Maldives open

EBI helps Ukraine

It is difficult to say with certainty what exactly awaits Ukraine and Europe tomorrow. At the moment, contrary to the propaganda stories on the federal channels of Russia, the situation is very ambiguous. Many organizations, companies and individuals from Europe have shown their willingness to help. Help not by word, but by deed. 

Many representatives of the yachting industry have been closely cooperating with Ukrainian colleagues for years. Moreover, they have maintained and maintain contact with companies in Ukraine. At the moment, most of these companies are now helping their employees during this difficult period. Colleagues in Poland and other countries also help refugees leaving Ukraine.

In this regard, the Council of the European Boating Industry (EBI) has launched a fundraising campaign. The motto is "European yacht industry for Ukraine". The fundraising is carried out jointly with the German charity Action Medeor eV This organization specializes in the delivery of essential items to crisis regions.

At the moment, you can support the initiative by this link. 

ISWAN Helps Seafarers' Families

The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), on behalf of the International Seafarers Relief Fund (SIRF), has announced grant payments to seafarers and their families. At the moment, if a sailor and/or his family suffered during the war in Ukraine, then ISWAN will provide one-time financial grants of up to 500 US dollars (about 449 euros). The funds are intended to cover expenses, including medical expenses, housing rent, living expenses or support for children's education.

The fund can also provide compensation of up to $1,000 (about €898) to immediate family members if a sailor died as a result of the war in Ukraine. The Fund is open to seafarers of any nationality, directly affected and indirectly affected.

In order to receive monetary compensation, your union must apply. Alas, the sailor or his family will not be able to do this directly. The list of organizations where you can apply is extensive - charitable maritime organizations, trade unions, port committees, ship-owning companies, etc.

Maldives has thrown off the shackles of COVID (almost)

The good news (although we don’t know if any of our readers will be able to use it now) is that a PCR test will no longer be required to visit the Maldives. 

As of March 14, 2022, a PCR test is no longer required to visit the Maldives. The cancellation of the test occurred 656 days after its introduction.

It has also been officially announced that travel quarantine is no longer required. Moreover, wearing masks and maintaining social distance are not mandatory. Wearing a mask is mandatory only in medical facilities and in areas where the number of cases exceeds 20%.

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions puts the Maldives on par with other countries around the world that have relaxed entry protocols or canceled them entirely. Two popular tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean - the Maldives and Indonesia - are following the trend of lifting pandemic-related requirements to make it easier for visitors to travel there.

Congratulations to the Maldives on the easing of quarantine measures! But something else is worrying. At the moment, a serious outbreak of COVID has been registered in Shanghai. Moreover, one of the most serious and longest lockdowns in history has been announced there. We hope that everything will end in Shanghai.

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31.03.2022