As part of this year's Seafarers Delivering Christmas #SeafarersDeliveringChristmas campaign, Inmarsat is offering free extra time for seafarers to catch up with their loved ones from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day.
The promotion in Christmas gives them an additional 33% talk time on FleetBroadband and Fleet Xpress ChatCards, and a discount on all 1GB and 5-hour allowance purchased from the onboard Fleet Hotspot Portal, which will be available for US$10 instead of the usual US$15. Those interested should use the ChatCard Online Portal or email their order before 18:00 UTC on 24 December.
Limited internet connection on ships remains generally a key area of concern for seafarers onboard, at a time when seafarers’ satisfaction seemed to increase in the pre-COVID period in several sections of everyday life onboard.
Read More: Inmarsat extends seafarer well-being commitments for COVID-19
A 2018 study by Inmarsat, Sailors’ Society and University of London showed that even limited access to Wi-Fi onboard ships helped reduce some of the emotional stresses that come with separation from families.
The aim of the campaign during Christmas is to highlight that seafarers are ‘key workers’ who have worked tirelessly to keep nations supplied through the pandemic and ensure they receive the support they deserve.
Read More: Inmarsat supports seafarers during global health crisis
The campaign of Inmarsat has already successfully driven donations to seafarers welfare organisations that are experiencing an extra financial burden supporting seafarers throughout the pandemic. Notably, North American Maritime Ministry Association received a donation of USD 168,500 from the ITF Seafarers' Trust to distribute gifts during Christmas as a result of the encouragement of this campaign.
Companies and welfare groups are providing a wide range of support services, including calls home, and more contributions are welcomed.
