Crew welfare: A matter of belonging, trust, and respect

Defining happiness

Evidently, it is challenging to describe a path to happiness because the definition of happiness is subjective. The speakers on this panel agreed that, while the welfare and happiness of the crew are ultimately personal, there are generic, human principles that promote welfare and happiness.

For instance, as stated by Ross Millar, Loss Prevention Associate, Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited, there are certain issues related to happiness when it comes to employment or work, such as being paid on time, having good employment prospects, development opportunities, or working with like-minded people.

Sometimes when we are looking at the bottom line, ship owners don’t perhaps take quite enough interest. Not just on obvious things such as salary and so on but thinking a bit more out of the box about how to recruit, retain and keep the career interesting.

… supplied Belinda Ward, Director (Claims), NorthStandard

A sense of trust and belonging   

A sense of belonging within a group of individuals can significantly improve inclusion safety, which in turn enhances psychological safety.  A collaborative approach, according to the speakers, can also create a healthier working environment and boost productivity.

They need to be valued and respected. If they genuinely actually have a connection with their employers, they will move heaven and earth and the ships will become safer, efficient and very happy places to work

… said Ross Millar.

Furthermore, interaction and communication with colleagues can reduce the feeling of isolation onboard, which is one of the most common sore spots.

Effective communication between aboard and onshore. They should feel they have open doors both to the master in any problem that they might face onboard and to the managers and owners. That way the welfare and mental status onboard will remain on high level.

… added Marios Minou, Deputy Crew Manager, Latsco Marine Management Inc.

Penelope Robotis, Clinical & Organizational Psychologist Msc, IMEQ Center also believes in building healthy relationships based on trust, care and compassion and “Working with each other and not against each other”.

As Christos Sialakoumas, Crew Manager, Dorian LPG, stressed, building stronger teams is important not only to improve the welfare of the current crew but also help attract the younger generation into the seafaring profession.

Of course, as speakers remarked, trust between crewmates is not enough on its own. Seafarers also need to trust that the company will ensure their basic human and workers rights.

From the crewing part, I must add the culture of respect we should build between companies and seafarers is very important.

… said Marios Minou

Belinda Ward highlighted the immense importance of having faith in the ship-owning firm. Seafarers must have faith that things will be as they expect, as they should, and as they are legally obligated to be, such as in accordance with MLC criteria for salary, food, and accommodation.

The most important thing is to learn to listen, understand and process. A lot of times we think we are listening, but we are not actively listening.

… said Penelope Robotis. She also expressed that a diversified approach is required for the sector to develop a better work environment due to the intergenerational and multicultural gap.

Communication and internet access

As previously stated, seafarers might feel significantly isolated because they spend extended periods of time at sea, away from their friends and family and, in some cases, without ways to communicate with them.

One method to alleviate this sense of isolation, according to speakers, is to provide free, dependable internet access onboard. Seafarers can use the internet to frequently contact their loved ones, entertain themselves and browse social media to keep up with the world.

Technology is a weapon in our hands and should be treated like an advantage and used in a manner that will not make it a disadvantage.

… said Marios Minou

Additionally, another advantage of internet connection is that mariners can seek assistance and guidance in a variety of areas more readily and effectively.

Alas, internet onboard can both a boon and a bane, speakers argued. As happens with people onshore as well, seafarers can be isolated in a different manner. This time not from their loved ones back home but from their crewmates. There is always the danger of people locking themselves in their cabins to be on their phones rather than sitting and interacting with others.

With communications equipment you can have the opportunity to connect with the world but being on ships it can be a double-edged sword with people potentially locking themselves in their cabins. If responsibly used is a wonderful thing

… said Ross Millar

Belinda Ward identified another issue that could arise as a result of internet use. She explained that if proper communication is not maintained, seafarers may be subjected to additional stress as a result of family problems.

Lessons learned from the pandemic

The Covid-19 epidemic was a phenomenon that brought the world to a halt for over two years. To prevent the spread of the virus, quarantines and rigorous measures were implemented around the world.

Meanwhile, seafarers were stranded onboard, unable to be repatriated because of the measures mentioned above. This was very damaging to their well-being. As noted by Christos Sialakoumas, counties were eager to accept cargo but refused to accept sailors.

Belinda Ward emphasized that they couldn’t even disembark crew members who were injured or ill in a timely or proper manner.

The pandemic, on the other hand, gave industry stakeholders crucial insight, as they were compelled to collaborate to continue operating within rigorous worldwide restrictions.

I think that the industry has been proven resilient. We have found ways such as deviating the vessels, managing the supply chain to maintain active without the support of key factors, even countries.

… said Christos Sialakoumas

Ross Millar agreed that there have been a number of things that the pandemic has brought to light. He also supported the idea that both mental welfare and technology have been accelerated due to the pandemic.

The pandemic, awful as it was, developed our understanding for seafarers.

… Ross Millar noted.

Finally, Belinda Ward also acknowledged that if one thing has come out of the pandemic, it is the increased focus on mental health. She cautioned that the industry should not ignore the pandemic or its mental strains but should rather continue to emphasize that mental health is just as vital as physical health.

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