CrewConnect Global Awards - WellAtSea improving the well-being of the seafarer

According to WellAtSea, their programme has reached approximately 3,640 seafarers, with 70 live orientation sessions with 1,090 crew.

Indications of their 7-month pilot program showed a decrease of secondary outcomes in smoking, hypertension, and obesity.

WellAtSea is a start-up company that aims to improve the overall well-being of the seafarer by introducing continuous and sustainable organizational change, with offices in Denmark and Manila.

The programme, which grounds itself on evidence-based techniques to drive behaviour change, was designed by a team of doctors, a physiotherapist, and a psychologist. Having been commissioned in 2017 to design a program for a maritime brand, their team created a solution that was geared towards mental resiliency, socialization, and physical strength.

The pilot, which ran for 7 months among 400 seafarers indicated a decrease of secondary outcomes in smoking, hypertension, and obesity.

The programme itself revolves around a 360-degree wellness platform that is meant to accompany the seafarer on their journey on and offshore. WellAtSea supply teams and individuals with appropriate learning courses, challenges, sessions, and exercise plans. These are shaped by the 3 key pillars of the WellAtSea platform; gamification, social, and rewards - which help motivate the crew.

The content selected to drive behaviour change is grounded on evidence-based approaches such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioural techniques to influence physical and mental health.

Their studies have further demonstrated a moderately high correlation between physical state and psycho-social state, with a correlation coefficient of 0.75. This tells us that initiatives that focused on mental resilience through mindfulness-based cognitive activities, could have a direct correlation to physical health states.

Hence, they have focused their solution towards sustainability and prevention by creating positive habit-forming activities, such as:

• Increased self-awareness through daily and weekly monitoring
• Seeking information and becoming proactive about their personal health
• Enhancing positive connections and practicing open communication
• Having the ability to define goals and steps to achieve these

According to WellAtSea, their experience has shown us that our program can be very flexible, giving the seafarer free rein to create their own personal health goals (from socialization, physical strength, mental resilience, nutrition, and more).

Through the platform they are able to support this by defining particular risk groups and offering customized content to the individual. Feedback from the crew further reveals that individuals are able to make honest commitments to improving their health.

Data also showed that the programme created deeper group cohesion through its activities and increased personal ownership of well-being. We saw the change on board vessels as toolbox meetings became more engaged and teams formed stronger bonds.

WellAtSea happily offer the industry with a solution that supports both pilot and full roll-out initiatives!

Recognising passion. Rewarding dedication.

Has your company provided the crewing industry with an innovative, cutting edge solution, which has made a difference to day-to-day operations? Learn more about the CrewConnect Awards here.