The shipping industry still transports around 90% of the world’s trade, it is an integral part to the world economy, and this will not be changing anytime soon. Behind such a huge industry are the seafarers, often described as the beating heart of maritime, however their welfare is regularly overlooked. From depression and stress to seafarer abandonment, we look at the top 5 points to consider when trying to keep crew in 'Bristol fashion'.
Be Proactive
It may sound obvious, but things can escalate very quickly when you are out at sea, which is why a greater importance is now being put on education and training before a seafarer even begins their life ashore. Teaching crew the symptoms and warning signs of stress, depression or anxiety means that seafarers will be better equipped to deal with the long months away from family and friends. One of the main issues is tackling the stigma of mental health and illness within the maritime industry head-on.
There is still a feeling that admitting to having mental health issues shows weakness, so seafarers are less likely to report any warning signs to the doctor on board. It is imperative that every level of the industry starts caring for and supporting the vital organ of maritime: the seafarers... before it goes into cardiac arrest.
Maintain Balance
Wellness covers a whole range of areas to consider, you have social wellness, emotional wellness, physical wellness, intellectual wellness, and spiritual wellness. All of these areas have to be nurtured and maintained in order for a seafarer to work effectively for the time that they are on the ship. Luckily, Sailor’s Society has developed a ‘Wellness At Sea’ app which offers seafarers an interactive way to keep track of their well-being as well as contact details for maritime welfare societies, including: Apostleship of the Sea, Mission to Seafarers and NAMMA, the app is free and available on both Android and iOS.
Utilise Technology
Technology is evolving at an incredible rate. It is just a matter of time before ships are connected 24/7, but until then we have to utilise what we have. One of the main issues for seafarers is being away from home with limited contact, but emailing, 'face-timing', and 'Facebooking' can all alleviate the loneliness that crew can face on long shipping journeys. With any introduction of new technology there are arguments for and against. A lot of companies, quite rightly, are worried that if their crew get bad news, their mind may not be totally on the job and could cause accidents. The key here then is not only working with seafarers themselves but also the wider community of friends and family and raising awareness of the mental strain that being away can cause. A compromise has to be made that benefits all parties moving forward.
Develop and Maintain Guidelines
The Maritime Labour Convention came into force in 2014, replacing all the existing Seafarers’ rights. The working and living rights that all seafarers have, include employment contracts, food and medical care and accommodation. There is a ‘human element’ section, however stress and fatigue make up a very small part of it, and a large chunk of the workforce are still wary of telling their employers their full medical history in case it goes against them in the future.
It is certainly food for thought, and until seafarers feel that they will not be penalised for disclosing health information, it will be tough to ensure that every seafarer is 'ship-shape' to serve on board.
Work Together
This point combines all of the above, because the industry can’t move forward in seafarer wellness without the workers and companies listening and understanding each other’s concerns. Communication is key in moving the industry forward, not just in technology and communications but with the seafarers too.
