Tag: life onboard

Recreation is an important ‘consideration’ for MLC 2006, for positively affecting seafarers’ mental health and acting as quite effective team bonding tool. With many crews remaining onboard beyond their contract limits amid the ongoing crisis, we gathered some shared activities that make every day routine of crews onboard a bit happier!

ECSA expressed its full support on the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change that was launched, to protect seafarers and improve the current challenges that arose during the pandemic.

Imagine a man’s society where you are the only female, what would the challenges be and what would you do differently? Women constitute a small minority of seafarers for many reasons, so chances are there is a proportion of one-two females and 18-19 males in a random whole of 20 crew members onboard.

Being a leader in business is a powerful tool that helps you motivate and inspire others. Adding leadership skills in your social life onboard will help you build stronger relationships with crewmates, improve the feeling of trust and communication and boost your mental health.

Isolation has always been an aspect of life at sea and one of the main arguments for all those refraining from a potential seafaring career. What are the main drivers of this isolation and how has this been redefined in the era of COVID-19?

More than 300 companies and organisations have partnered to help resolve the crew change crisis, by signing the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, concerning the fourth quarter of 2020, revealed that small investments can make a difference to the lives of seafarers, in efforts to improve their life onboard.

Capt. Angelos Lekkas who has been working with Maran Gas Maritime since 2002, talks about the daily challenges of life at sea, highlighting how important is for shipping companies to invest in seaman welfare. ''Mental health on board is very critical and the industry shows to recognise that over the past years'' he comments. 

We are happy to host an interview with Capt. Ioanna Tzovara who has been working with Celebrity Cruises since 2018, being part of a great team which motivates her daily. In addition, she shares unique stories from her sailing experience while highlights that Internet is a necessity not a luxury; thus it should be available and accessible for everybody working at sea.

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 and is presented as a second edition.