Seafarer's Wellbeing

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Safarer’s wellbeing in these pandemic time:

Reinforcing the importance of Seafarer Wellbeing | Hellenic Shipping News...

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Open for all seafarers, regardless of nationality, race or religion:

Seafarers are offered 360° well-being support through the launch of OneCare...

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Seafarer’s wellbeing is still important, even after the pandemic:

ITF: Industry-Union Pact to Keep Cooperation Alive - Seafarers International...

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Any active seafarer on the forum wants to participate?:

Seafarer survey launches - Splash247

Open to all ranks and all nationalities.

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Seafarers take centre stage at upcoming summit in Manila | Hellenic Shipping...

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A healthy approach - Building firm foundations for well-being at sea

A question of balance.
“Firstly, there’s a danger that people get the impression that life at sea is a bad thing,” he notes, adding: “And it certainly is not. It’s one of the most rewarding, satisfying careers you can have. Then there’s the issue of looking at seafarers in isolation, like they’re ‘different’ people. They’re not. They’re just people with the same strengths and vulnerabilities as anyone else.”

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Not-for-profit company established for maritime mental health - Splash247

https://www.waypointmaritime.org/

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Action must be taken now to be ready for future crewing challenges, says...

Capt Gilbert Garcia, Director and General Manager at Senator Crewing said: “We need to ensure we are making shipping an attractive industry for seafarers. We must look at prioritising mental health, streamline administrative processes, and update training for the digital era. Fair employment practices and global collaboration are crucial. Simplifying procedures and ensuring clear contracts can ease the burden on seafarers.

“We are now starting to see some reputable companies offer health and wellbeing services and good internet connectivity onboard, which helps combat the issues of loneliness and isolation felt by many Filipino seafarers, which is great news.

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Not much interest in this subject apparently, but I’m persistent in trying to get some comment and opinions about what is maybe the main reasons for the shortage of seafarers today:

New report finds ‘alarming’ amount of global merchant fleet still has no...

Over half of vessels surveyed do provide free wifi for crew, although most come with limited bandwidth and download allowances. 12.5% of vessels surveyed offer unlimited free internet.
“Access to email, messaging, calling and internet is vitally important for seafarer morale, wellbeing and links to family. Poor connectivity contributes to isolation from family and life at home,” the report observes.

Is this a “FOC problem”, caused by greedy shipowners and cheap ship management companies as many would like to think?
Maybe not:

Hong Kong’s Anglo-Eastern was one of the early adopters of Starlink among the global shipmanagers. The company’s CEO, Bjorn Hojgaard, argued last year that Starlink – and other new satellite offerings such as OneWeb and Project Kuiper – will change life onboard in a way never experienced in the history of shipping.
“Soon seafarers will be always-on, enjoying the same connectivity that we ashore have been used to. The ship will become a seamless extension of the office, where members of the team just happen to be closer to the machinery,” Hojgaard commented.

PS> Anglo-Eastern is one of the leading “3rd party” Shipmanagement Companies in the world, managing ships for a wide range of Owners from Europe, Asia and the Americas:

Our Services

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Shocking seafarer stats

The report outlines seven key areas for improvement, including zero tolerance for harassment, better contracts, improved internet access, guaranteed helplines, parental support, inclusive protective equipment, and transparent training systems.

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Diversity_Sea_Improving_seafarer_well-being_Preliminary_findings_from_the_pilot_...

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Marcos hails new Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers regulation - Splash247

The new law aims to create a comprehensive framework for preserving and improving the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers in local and international shipping. It also seeks to improve seafarers’ education, training, and cadetship programs to improve mariners’ skills.

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Anybody here feel the calling to participate?:
ATTENTION SEAFARERS! RWMU-OUIS Work-Life Balance Survey

The World Maritime University (WMU) is calling all seafarers who are currently working on any commercial ship, or have worked on such ships during or after 2013, to participate in a survey on work-related aspects, psychological well-being, and career intentions. WMU is conducting a survey in collaboration with the Officers’ Unions of International Seamen (OUIS). The insights gathered will help the maritime community to consider improvements.The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain completelanonymous. You are welcome to share the survey link with seafarers in your network. The participation
deadline is 30 June 2025 Follow the link or scan the QR code below to complete the survey: WMU-OUIS Survey on Seafarers’ Work-Life Balance | QuestionPro Survey

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Feel the burn(out)?:

Addressing seafarer burnout - Splash247

Burnout in seafarers, deeply intertwined with mental health, arises from chronic stress and manifests as emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. The isolated and demanding maritime environment exacerbates this condition, as constant high demands erode seafarers’ enthusiasm and satisfaction. Preventing burnout requires addressing mental health proactively through access to psychological support, fostering a supportive onboard community, and ensuring regular mental health evaluations. Effective interventions not only enhance seafarers’ wellbeing but also contribute to the safety and productivity of maritime operations.

The isolation experienced during long voyages can also compound feelings of burnout. Implementing programmes that enhance social connectivity on board is crucial. Activities such as organised social events, communal leisure areas, and improved internet access allow crew members to maintain contact with family and friends, as well as bond with their colleagues. This social support is vital for mental health and can significantly reduce the sense of isolation and burnout.