Port restrictions, changes in the shipping industry and the feeling of unknown that the COVID-19 has brought, is affecting seafarers. Therefore, it is important that seafarers have a good mental health condition and build resilience through this difficult time.
Although Dr. Kate Thompson, a counselling psychologist, has stated that seafarers have already developed skills that the rest of the population will need to adopt in future to manage the pandemic, as staying away from family and home for a long time, they are experiencing additional challenges as they have been asked to extend their contracts beyond their usual tour of duty.
Therefore, seafarers have to find ways to become resilient and maintain their mental health.
Kunal Pathak, Loss Prevention Manager in Gard’s Singapore office, advises seafarers to write down three things that went well during the day and why they went well before going to sleep. He further highlights the importance of positive psychology, which seafarers can follow in their efforts to look on the bright side and always try to find the good in the bad.
Moreover, he recommends that seafarers can write down all their thoughts on the left side of a blank paper and the situation that is inducing those thoughts. Keep the right side of the paper blank as they will need to counter all those negative thoughts with positive ones.
Mr Pathak commented that
The reason for contrasting emotions is that two different systems of thoughts are at play. During such an exercise, an individual will be able to engage the primary reaction as well as a secondary response to the same situation.
Recently, Mrs Maria Christopoulou, Associate of ASCOT Consulting, noted that seafarers are now required to: control their own stress levels; fight the fatigue from the extended service on board; cooperate with equally tense and concerned colleagues onboard and ashore, operating at make shift home offices; and liaise with port state, flag state and other international authorities. They must do all this while continuing to fully perform their duties as efficiently as they did before the pandemic.
Overall, seafarers are an important part of the shipping industry, as they keep things going. Maintaining a good mental health while onboard although difficult, is something that can be achieved through effort and patience.
