“To me, this is about embracing a culture and an environment on board ships which values people, treats people with respect and dignity, and ensures that those people get support and assistance whenever they require it”, Natalie Shaw, Director Employment Affairs at International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said.
Seafarer wellness is one of the issues that is front and centre in the news, shaping public opinion on the maritime industry as a whole. Although the number of incidents have not risen, the number of cases of short-term anxiety and depression have, Prof. Helen Sampson, Director at Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC), reported.
The life of a seafarer is physically and mentally challenging, from unusual working hours to an unusual lifestyle on board. The long time spent at sea makes family planning and social interactions harder, which is one of the most stressing parts of the job, according to Iris Baguilat, President at Döhle Seafront Crewing.
Still, putting a cost to unsuitable environments, weak leadership, bad communication, stress, and fatigue is a challenge on its own, Connie Gehrt, Managing Director at CONOVAH, said. But their impact on performance can be an indication, although it is only “the tip of the iceberg”, meaning that there is much more under the surface.
Watch this panel of maritime experts, and learn about the factors affecting seafarer wellness, and how to build your own wellness strategy. >>>
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