Shore leave critical for physical and mental health of maritime crews

World trade would not work without seafarers. Photos: dpa

The Filipino crew clearly had something big to celebrate as they ordered pizza and red wine to be delivered to Welcome, a club for seafarers in the German port city of Bremerhaven.

Usually, crews head to the club to buy chocolate and phone cards or go online but when volunteer Antje Zeller asked them what the occasion was, she learned it was their first time ashore in months.