Firstly launched in early July 2020, INTERTANKO Human Element in Shipping Committee (HEiSC) developed guidance and recommendations on crew welfare and mental wellness for crewing managers and shore-side staff. Following extensive use and feedback, the ‘Crew Welfare Management and Mental Wellness’ guide has now been updated to explain how shipping organizations need to work to prevent emotional and psychological distress in our seafarers.
Seafarers, like all human beings, need three things: recognition, stimulation and certainty, argues INTERTANKO and the second edition provides best practices to assist in understanding their needs. In this Infographic, we explain ways to address seafarers’ need for recognition. Considering that isolation and lack of contact can result in people feeling devalued and unimportant, crew onboard needs to be acknowledged and considered valuable
Seafarers’ Needs
- Need for RECOGNITION: Seafarers need to be acknowledged and considered valuable
- Need for STIMULATION: Seafarers need to be energised and feel vitality and motivated
- Need for CERTAINTY: Seafarers need systems that keep them safe and make life predictable.
Consequences of over and under-fulfilment of human needs
6 Best Practices for shipping organizations to show RECOGNITION
In these challenging times, even small actions are important to show your appreciation to seafarers. While the whole maritime community is constantly calling countries to designate seafarers as ‘key workers’, shipping companies should follow the following practices to communicate value, understanding and empathy:
#1 Consider to pay their bonuses from the day the seafarer has completed the contract
#2 End their contracts when seafarers get home after quarantine finishes
#3 Send flowers and presents to families of seafarers over their time
#4 Make senior staff to produce videos thanking seafarers and spread the message across social media
#5 Provide prescribed medications to all crew on-board whose medicines are getting over
#6 Schedule weekly calls with the Senior Leadership Team ashore with ship staff
