Seafarers’ voices

I did this project as part of a Cultivating Creativity course with Doug Chinnery and Valda Bailey in January 2021.

A largely invisible humanitarian crisis emerged during the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers have been trapped on board cruise ships, oil tankers, cargo ships and fishing vessels because many governments have failed to follow safe, practical quarantine and transport measures which would allow the stressed and exhausted crew to disembark and return home safely. In January 2021, over 200,000 seafarers remain trapped on board. You can read more at ITF Seafarers.

I used the sea and objects found on my local beach, along with reflections and shadows. I’ve also tried to portray their emotions through a poem – each verse relates to one of the images.

Nine voices

This floating palace has been my home But now the passengers are gone Just the whispers of their voices remain In the chilled corridors, the dark corners, the empty decks The virus stalks our imaginings We feel very alone

In three days we will reach a port My contract’s ended, I can go home … But they’ve closed the borders We can’t get off We’re trapped on board

It’s been three months now I can’t sleep, I feel sick My mind and soul are with my family Only my body is on the ship Does anyone know we’re here?

I used to enjoy night watch Nothing but the sea And silence and space to think But now isolation eats at me And I ache with longing for my family And the year-old son I have yet to see

Days of raging storms The sea attacks the ship, the wind roars around us As we battle to save cargo going overboard Seafarers are brave, we’re strong But deep down we’re terrified

My friend was ill But the master wouldn’t let us dock In case the ship was quarantined Now he has died We have to keep on fishing With his body on board Grieving for our lives

I can’t take much more My mind is undoing I think of the watery grave

Good news People are fighting for us To go home It’s happening for some We dare to enjoy a glimmer of hope

We are going home. We’re at the airport after hotel quarantine and tests The union inspector gives us our tickets And takes a photo of us all smiling and laughing ‘You saved my life’, I tell her There are no more words Just joy