Working through the holidays

As the festive season draws ever closer and people around the world prepare to celebrate with family and friends, many seafarers continue to be at sea and apart from their families. Sandra Welch, CEO of the Seafarers Hospital Society, discusses the difficulty of being away from loved ones at this time and the support systems available to help.

Some seafarers will be at sea during the holidays facing long periods away from family, intense workloads, and the pressures of working in a confined, high-risk environment. Being away from home particularly during key annual celebrations, can lead to feelings of isolation and worries about the additional financial burden during what is an expensive time of year.

However, help is at hand for those that need it. At the Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS), we understand the unique needs of seafarers and their families working in UK territorial waters, and have support mechanisms specifically designed to help tackle some of the most pressing needs during this period.

Mitigating Financial Anxieties

Life at sea can be challenging enough, but for many seafarers, financial struggles add an unseen weight to their already heavy burden. This can feel particularly difficult during the holiday season when the pressures of financial insecurity and time away from family are especially acute.

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Unexpected expenses can happen at any time but are Highlighted during the festive season. A broken-down washing machine, fridge or other household items can present real challenges for seafarers and their families, and the unexpected additional expense can exacerbate existing stress or anxiety. To help reduce this concern, SHS has a small grants scheme available to merchant seafarers based in the UK, so they can apply for help with these sorts of expenses.

Our support extends beyond repair or replacement of household items to priority costs like utility bills, council tax and essential building maintenance such as window or heating repairs. These are particularly key issues during the winter during a cost-of-living crisis. And while ensuring essential building maintenance supports better physical health and wellbeing, our grants also cover a wide range of short-term living expenses including clothing costs and respite breaks or convalescence from illness or injuries. For those seafarers or family members struggling with health problems, the grants can be accessed to cover the installation of disability aids or equipment like stair lifts or electrically powered vehicles including wheelchairs or riser/recliner chairs.

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For seafarers facing the sudden loss of a loved one, we know that the added worry of funeral costs can make a difficult time even harder. By covering expenses like these, we hope to allow families to focus on grieving and healing. No one should have to face these challenges alone, and we urge seafarers to reach out when they need assistance.

Planning for the future

However, financial struggles are not just about money—they can often impact mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. This is why we fund and work closely with The Seafarers' Advice and Information Line (SAIL), ensuring that seafarers have access to compassionate support for these interconnected challenges.

SAIL provides free, confidential, and expert advice to seafarers and their families throughout the UK, helping them navigate financial challenges. Whether it's dealing with debt, housing issues, benefits applications, or employment rights, the charity's team of advisors understands the unique pressures of life at sea and works tirelessly to provide tailored solutions.

We really encourage crew to reach out and benefit from the comprehensive range of services designed to meet their specific needs. From debt advice and benefit guidance to housing support and employment rights advocacy, the team at SAIL are equipped to tackle the financial difficulties that can overwhelm those working at sea. For example, SAIL’s debt advice service helps seafarers create practical plans to manage and reduce debt, while their housing support team assists with rent arrears and homelessness prevention. When workplace issues arise, SAIL’s expertise in employment rights ensures that seafarers receive fair treatment and respect. These services can help empower seafarers and their families to regain control of their lives, and offer new stability in turbulent times.

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Psychological Health Services

The unique pressures of life at sea can intensify during the holidays — exacerbating existing issues or leaving even the most resilient individuals feeling isolated and disconnected from their loved ones back home. These emotional struggles are often carried silently, as the stigma surrounding mental health can make it difficult for seafarers to reach out for support.

But whether a crew member is feeling isolated and anxious onboard a vessel and far from family and friends, or whether they are on shore but dealing with difficult personal or professional relationships or battling depression, we want to assure them that they are not alone and assist them in finding the right support. That is why we have partnered with TogetherAll to provide free, confidential digital mental health support for seafarers.

Accessing mental health support online can be a reassuring and effective way for crew to share their concerns openly without fear of judgement within an online peer-support community moderated by trained mental health professionals. This not only can help tackle negative feelings or stress, but can help slowly build resilience again — allowing seafarers to feel safe and supported.

During the holiday season and beyond, SHS remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting the health, dignity, and quality of life of the people who dedicate their lives to working at sea — through the good times, the bad, and everything in between.

Sandra Welch, is CEO of the Seafarers Hospital Society