A team of researchers recently published a paper, regarding the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of the seamen that pirates have taken as hostages.
The director of the research, Conor Seyle, and the research team surveyed over 450 seafarers from the Philippines, Ukraine, and India and concluded that one quarter of the seafarers that had been taken hostages, are likely to develop PTSD.
During an interview with Oceans Deeply, Conor Seyle said that when pirates attack a vessel, they are normally carrying guns, with the crewmembers having only a fire hose to deal with them.
Furthermore, if someone gets kidnapped, there is a chance that the pirates will abuse him. After the hostage period is over, the seafarer cannot be diagnosed with PTSD until six months after the incident.
People with serious PTSD can develop substance abuse, while others can experience anger, depression and fear, Mr. Seyle explains.
The shipping industry is taking significant action to address this problem. Conor Seyle said that the majority of the companies have taken importan initiatives to support seafarers that have been taken as hostages.
Moreover, seafarers’ welfare organizations, such as, Seamen’s Church Institute, the Sailors’ Society, the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme, incorporate programs to support these seafarers.
Additionally, in order to tackle PTSD, training on dealing a piracy attack, can help a crewmember. This training includes practical skills, thus giving people an in-hand solution, to feel more confident in similar situations.
If seafarers have specific actions that they can do during an attack, they will feel more in control during an attack, Mr. Seyle concludes.
You can see the full paper by the research team, in the PDF herebelow
