Greater attention and investment to support crews is required for seafaring to remain an attractive profession and for a resilient industry, writes Captain Pradeep Chawla, CEO of MarinePALS.
Seafarers are the backbone of the maritime industry. The demanding nature of their work and life at sea, coupled with minimum manning, constant implied or real commercial pressure, and safety concerns in conflict areas, can take a toll on their physical and mental health.
Seafarers are at the crux of an evolving maritime industry facing challenges from multiple fronts, including decarbonisation and associated new technologies and fuels. This is in addition to rapidly escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide that not only disrupt the global supply chains but also stress seafarers’ daily lives. Such additional pressure and keeping abreast of day-to-day responsibilities means that seafarers face immense mental and physical struggles that require greater support from their companies and the wider maritime industry. A fit and happy seafarer workforce is vital for the industry going forward if we are to remain a resilient one.
Considering how important it is for the future of our industry, the lack of available data in the public domain, on seafarer health and wellbeing is astounding. We need to find ways as an industry to share more company data on these issues and build a truer picture of the problems we face to resolve them.
However, we can see from the information that is available to us, often gathered and shared by charities, that more must be done. Data from ISWAN calls and messages received on its helpline revealed that “mental health issues increased by 126.0% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q), as the crew change crisis hit during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. Subsequently, new contacts relating to mental health concerns surged by 90.3% q-o-q in the first quarter of 2022, in large part as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” A study by Marine Benefits revealed that 28% of seafarers experience depression and 24% anxiety, and it is concerning that between half and two-thirds of seafarers are highly stressed, depending on rank.
The stress of being at sea
We know well the main causes of stress for crews. Long hours, irregular sleep patterns, and exposure to hazardous conditions can lead to a range of health issues, including injuries incurred in the line of duty, fatigue, and chronic diseases.
Moreover, the mental strain of prolonged periods away from home, coupled with the inherent risks of maritime work, can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. Mental health needs to be given the same importance as physical injuries, and as an industry, we need to remove the stigma associated with it – as a priority.
Mental health challenges have far-reaching consequences. Poor health can negatively impact seafarers’ performance, decreasing efficiency and increasing accidents. Seafarers are hesitant to report mental health issues due to repercussions. For instance, if they return home signed off due to mental health issues, the recruitment industry refuses to take them back or makes it extremely difficult. From the ship operators and crewing side, they fear that the seafarer may harm himself or must be repatriated again if sent to sea. A lack of attention to seafarers’ wellbeing can contribute to high turnover rates, making it difficult to retain experienced personnel.
If we know the causes, and, if considerations come down to purely financial, we know it hurts profits too,so let’s do more to invest in preventative solutions. Training and wellbeing resources made widely available to crews must be a core part of this. Investing in quality training for crews is key We recently collaborated with the Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) to share their physiotherapy videos on our platforms free of charge. This was done to support SHS’s great work and to try to help distribute it more widely among seafarers to help prevent chronic injuries. I believe that it is important for the various stakeholders to work together to support crews to be healthier, happier, and, therefore, safer.
As we have seen in recent years, there is also greater attention on bullying, harassment and sexual abuse that takes place at sea. Studies indicate that between 8% to 25% of seafarers have experienced workplace bullying, with rates exceeding 50% among women seafarers. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are working jointly to combat violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, using legislation, mechanisms and policies as well as enhanced training. For employers, encouraging crews to speak up, making it a safe place to do so and ensuring there is no backlash is essential. So too is making it clear that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated on board. Training can help here, and at MarinePALS we have used the digital medium to provide resources on the prevention of sexual abuse, bullying and harassment. We hope to expand these resources going forward.
Staying connected
Access to better internet on board offers a solution on a number of fronts. Not only can crews better access online resources available to them, including therapy services, but they can also stay in touch with their loved ones at home.
The report on Seafarer Health: Research to Date and Current Practices (2022) by the Seafarers Hospital Society and Yale University indicates that the main stressors experienced by seafarers include being away from home for extended periods, which varies by nationality. For Danish and UK seafarers it was 3 months, whereas for Indonesian and Filipino seafarers it was as long as 8 months. This in turn can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
While greater internet bandwidth is being provided onboard, the fact that seafarers still often need to pay for their internet means they are unable to keep in touch with their families and friends as often as they wish, leading to mental health issues.
A holistic approach
The maritime industry must adopt a holistic approach to seafarer health and well-being to address the multifaceted root causes. This involves providing adequate healthcare facilities, ensuring safe working conditions, and offering mental health support services. The industry must invest in training and education to equip seafarers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their health.
As noted earlier, digital training and resources are a core tool we must use as an industry to proactively support crews to be healthier and happier.
Micro-learning modules can deliver essential health and safety information in a concise and engaging format, while online counselling services and stress management tools can provide much-needed support for those struggling with mental health issues. I’ve already noted some of the resources we have available for crews, but we also have many on the prevention of injuries—eyes, ears, and finger injuries. Supporting seafarers with their mental health is important to us and we are looking at releasing custom-built videos on this topic soon.
Prioritising the seafarer
We must prioritise seafarers’ health and well-being to create a more sustainable and resilient future.
A healthy and happy workforce is essential not only for navigating the complex challenges of today’s world but also for addressing the persistent retention and recruitment issues that plague the sector. Investing in the health and well-being of existing seafarers is far more cost-effective than constantly replacing those who leave the industry prematurely.
By highlighting the challenges faced by seafarers and the support available to them, we can encourage a culture of care and compassion. It is essential to make it clear to seafarers that support is readily available, whether through their companies or the numerous charities dedicated to their welfare. By prioritising the physical and mental well-being of seafarers, we can ensure the continued success of the maritime industry.
The views presented are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
