Tag: mental health

Capt Yiannis Kapageridis, TMS TANKERS LTD, explores ways that can assist to boost the wellbeing of modern seafarer in order to cope with efficiently on any adversity presented  on the dynamic environment onboard a ship.

Seafarers’ welfare organisations are working to support crews during these challenging conditions, with many of them being stranded or afraid about their families and themselves. 

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.

Dr Kate Thompson, a counselling psychologist, provides information and guidance for seafarers, on board vessels and ashore, affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

It is known that being a seafarer is a challenging work, while it might be one of the toughest jobs in the world. Although the shipping industry recognizes the daily difficulties that seafarers are dealing with, several organizations can't cover all eventualities.

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the maritime industry once again faces a great challenge to overcome this unprecedented situation for stranded seafarers.Our seafarers are ON BOARD BUT they must NOT feel ALONE, highlights Mrs Maria Christopoulou, Associate of ASCOT Consulting.

Seafarers Hospital Society has joined forces with the Big White Wall to provide mental health and wellbeing advice and support service to working seafarers based in the UK who may be struggling to cope. The service has now been extended to the families of working seafarers, with the Sailors’ Children’s Society (SCS). 

Life onboard is facing new challenges amid the COVID-19 crisis, as seafarers have to be extra persistent when it comes to their hygiene routine, they have to be cautious in case of an infected person onboard, while the whole shipping industry, such as flag States, companies and masters, have to collaborate to ensure seafarers’ safety and follow measures for the virus’ containment.

In the video, Dr Kate Thompson, a counselling psychologist, provides information and guidance for seafarers affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The video seeks to answer actual questions posed by seafarers who contacted the helpline SeafarerHelp.

International maritime charity Sailors’ Society announced that is now offering to seafarers virtual chaplaincy as it stops its port activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Charity informs that is halts operations in all 90 ports, beginning for two weeks, in the light of the increased spread of the virus and the World Health Organization (WHO) activating an international state of emergency.