Seafarers Happiness Index

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Latest Seafarers Happiness Index find fatigue and burn out among seafarers during the present COVID-19 Pandemic:

Seafarers poll reveals dread, fatigue and burn out onboard during the...

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More from Seafarers Happiness Index:

‘Uncertainty takes a terrible toll’: Seafarers Happiness Index founder -

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But there may be some hope:

IMO issues 12-step plan to get crews home -

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And the problem is widespread:

Crew members stranded on board ships face mental, physical problems

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Seafarers Happiness Index 2021 is out:

Seafarers not particularly happy during 2021

[tengineer1]

Happiness Index? Hilarilous.
When will these index people come up with a 'pissed off" index. Something people can relate to?

[ombugge]

Happiness can be in simple things:

PS> It can also be measured and indexed, apparently.

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Seafarer’s Happiness Report for Q3 2022:

Latest Seafarers Happiness Index shows sustained recovery in seafarer...

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Not too many will be distressed by me reviving this old thread:

Seafaring haves and have nots - Splash247

On the best, we see mentoring and time taken to train, share and upskill, below that there is just a learning void. There is just work, there is no sense of building experiences and improving. Just relentless demands, with the hope of departure and never of development.

The interactions for some are positive, enjoyable even laughter-filled around BBQs sizzling with the smells of work well done. Not for the have-nots. Here only work, here only the sighs of trying to hold it together and getting through.

The cascading standards and reality do not have to drop away so quickly from the good to the average, the bad and then the plain ugly. The fact that some companies do get it right must stand, somehow as a template for positive change. Alas, that just is not happening.

As the two-speed shipping industry seems to pull apart and the gap grows, it will become ever harder to align and apply the lessons of what can go right.

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Longer Voyages, Happier Crews? The Unexpected Benefit of Red Sea Diversions

The survey has found extended time at sea has fostered greater camaraderie, with senior officers taking on more supportive roles in training junior crew members. Improvements in food quality have been noted, though there’s a call for greater variety.

However, significant challenges persist, including poor internet connectivity, limited shore leave, and wage concerns, all of which continue to impact overall satisfaction and mental well-being.

PS> I was never happy with long voyages, or ocean crossing. Much preferred sailing in between islands and reefs.

[jimrr]

I don’t see why people just can’t quit worrying and be HAPPY !!!

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Seafarers’ struggles in global ports - Splash247

Consider how it feels to be required to wear full PPE just to visit the local shops. What’s the experience like at the gate? How are seafarers treated? Only by stepping into their shoes can we truly understand the challenges they face—and only then can we determine if we are doing enough to make them feel welcomed, valued, and respected.

Until seafarers are recognised as key stakeholders and important port users then it seems problems will persist. The message is clear that ports need to modify their operations to ensure that crews can easily, safely, and respectfully access the services they need. Until that happens, the industry faces a significant, self-inflicted problem, and that is a very depressing reality.

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Strong gains in seafarer happiness levels, but serious safety concerns emerge

Q2 survey shows another quarter of crew satisfaction, though safety, training and manning problems continue.

The Q2 2025 Seafarers Happiness Index, published by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals an encouraging uplift in seafarer wellbeing, with the average happiness score rising to 7.54/10, up from 6.98 in Q1.

Positive trends were seen across all core areas, from connectivity and food to training and wages, painting a picture of a better-supported workforce at sea. Yet despite the improving numbers, seafarers are also sounding a clear and urgent alarm, safety standards and basic protections are increasingly under threat.

“While the Q2 2025 results show real progress, there are some worrying safety concerns that need addressing. As seafarers become more vocal, connected, and engaged, they are raising questions the industry can no longer afford to ignore. The improvement in overall happiness should not obscure the rising concern around safety, training integrity, and manning. Now is the time for industry leaders, regulators, and shipowners to act.”

To read the full findings from the Seafarers Happiness Index report for Q2 2025, click here

Source: Strong gains in seafarer happiness levels, but serious safety concerns emerge | NorthStandard | Marine Insurance

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When the technology crutch is kicked - Splash247

Seafarers express concern about those who are drawn in and lulled into a false sense of security, where technology becomes not just a tool but a substitute for seamanship. The phrase that captures this perfectly: a reluctance to “even look out of the window.” This isn’t merely about preference; it represents a fundamental shift in how navigation is conceived.

There is much discussion in the industry about the training mix and the complex role of traditional skills like celestial navigation, dead reckoning, and the intuitive reading of sea conditions. These skills are deteriorating, replaced by an unwavering faith in screens and algorithms.