Seafarer charity Stella Maris is warning that Ukrainian seafarers are experiencing increased levels of loneliness and depression amid fears of conscription if they return home as the war enters its third year.
Stella Maris regional port chaplains for Southampton and Southern ports, Charles Stuart and Gregory Hogan, reported increasing strain among Ukrainian seafarers. Initially shocked by the invasion of Ukraine, they faced compounded stress from over two years of war and the fear of conscription if they returned home. Improved Wi-Fi access exacerbated their anxiety, as they could access distressing news and struggled with feelings of powerlessness.
Seafarers often felt exhausted and distressed due to constant access to news and the inability to hear from their families for extended periods. The younger generation feared conscription and felt compelled to keep working, even when separated from their families. Many could not go ashore for weeks or even months, impacting their mental health and wellbeing.
Both chaplains emphasized the importance of shore leave and having someone independent to talk to, like Stella Maris, to support seafarers’ mental health. They highlighted the challenges of maintaining working relationships on ships with both Russian and Ukrainian crew members amidst tensions about the conflict. Russian crew members also faced challenges, with some expressing anger over personal financial losses due to the war.
