Contact lost with a seafarer — first 72 hours

Written for the family side. A seafarer hasn't been in touch when they normally would be. Calm + systematic escalation in the first 72 hours.

Immediate action (do this first)

1. Check whether the vessel is on a known no-comms route (mid-Atlantic, southern Indian Ocean, polar) — see /ships by IMO + the live AIS link.
2. Contact the manning agency in writing (email + WhatsApp). Include vessel name + IMO + contract dates + seafarer's full name on the SEA.
3. If the agency cannot reach the vessel within 24 hours, call ISWAN SeafarerHelp: +44 800 012 1004.
4. Notify the home-country embassy in the country whose port the vessel is at or near.
5. Brief one other family member or trusted shoreside friend on the situation.

Evidence to save

• Last messages received from the seafarer (timestamp + platform).
• Pattern of normal contact (frequency + usual channel).
• Vessel name + IMO + flag + last known port.
• Manning agency name + address + licence number + named recruiter.
• Shipowner / principal name + corporate phone + website.
• ISWAN + ITF case reference numbers if opened.

Escalation chain

1. Manning agency (written request to confirm welfare)
2. ISWAN SeafarerHelp (24/7, free) — ISWAN can contact the shipowner + flag state directly.
3. ITF inspector at current port — Can board the vessel and confirm welfare.
4. Home-country embassy / consulate — Embassy can write to the foreign authority on the family's behalf.
5. Flag-state maritime administration — If the shipowner is unresponsive, the flag state has primary jurisdiction.

Do NOT

• Don't accept a release of claims from the agency before welfare is confirmed.
• Don't pay the agency for 'urgent contact' or 'satellite call' — these are scam patterns targeting worried families.
• Don't publish the seafarer's full name / vessel name on social media before ISWAN advises — it can compromise an active welfare intervention.

Last verified 4 months ago