Tag: wellness at sea

Seafarers’ wellness depends on several pillars such as good work-life balance, regular communication with their family members, quality of life onboard etc.

Separation from family, loneliness, lack of shore leave, fear of criminalization and the simple stress of everyday workload are only a few of the challenging factors for seafarers’ mental health, and even more in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is no secret that mental health problems affect billion of people. From stress, to schizophrenia, mental health issues are now being treated as equal to physical ones, as they are no longer a taboo. Such an issue is paranoia, where people feel like they are being threatened in some way, even if there is no evidence, or very little evidence, that they are.

The ability to motivate and retain seafarers is a critical manpower issue in view of global labour shortage and high turnover rate among seafarers, with reasons varying from the complex nature of the job to the inadequate response from the shipping industry itself, as highlighted during the pandemic.

The coronavirus situation leaves seafarers feeling stressed and worried about their health, families and work environment.

Research shows an increase in suicide attempts among seafarers since the beginning of 2020, in a time when COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of seafarers stranded onboard for prolonged periods away from family, adding to the already emerging issue of crew mental health.

The Seafood Working Group (SWG) issued a collective critical statement as to the current standing of the industry-led Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Health (FISH) Standard for Crew.

Seafarers' happiness levels increased at 6.46 in the first quarter of 2021 from 6.37/10 in Q4 2020, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report by The Mission to Seafarers, which unveiled a mixed picture in terms of welfare standards and conditions for seafarers.

Speaking of mental health, it is known that seafarers are often struggling with feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety while at sea.

Following the announcement that New Zealand will allow a funding to boost seafarers’ welfare services, as part of its commitment to allow more support to seafarers visiting the country, it was confirmed that this law will become effective from July 1st.