SAFETY4SEA SEAFiT - Issue 01

ISSUE 01 | Q1 2023 30 - 31st March 2022 showed an 81% in - crease in the total number of calls and messages from crew members and their families asking for support from its international helpline, compared to the same pre-covid period (2019-2020). However, the latest Seafarers Hap- piness Index for Q3 2022 by The Mis - sion to Seafarers indicated that sea- farer happiness levels reached 7.3/10, up from 7.21 in the previous quarter, which follows a sustained increase in seafarer satisfaction, after a record low of 5.85 recorded in Q1 of this year. The results of the survey showed seafarers are much happier with their access to shore leave and more certain about crew changes, two important factors for seafarers’ wellness. The importance of mental health for shipping is reflected in a recent initiative by a network of psychological practitioners that has come together to form the Maritime Mental Health Professionals Community of Practice (MMHPCoP). The MMHPCoP seeks to promote the use of evidence-based practice for mental health, adapted to the unique challenges of the maritime industry. Other recent initiatives include ISWAN’s Social Interaction Matters (SIM) Project, which completed its trials of social interaction initiatives onboard merchant vessels in 2021 and has already provided respective guid- ance to shipping organizations with respect to health management. The organization also launched the ISWAN for Seafarers app in June 2021 in part- nership with The Shipowners’ Club. Key areas of focus 1. Connectivity: Internet onboard is always a key area of focus in the mental health debate for shipping, as it is really important for crews to maintain contact with their loved ones and the world, but it may be limiting their interaction and bond- ing with their mates onboard. “Our respondents also made it clear that connectivity assists rather than impedes social cohesion on board, as seafarers are happier if they are able to contact loved ones”, The Mission to Seafarers explained in its latest Seafarers Happiness Index release. 2. Shore leave: One of the biggest negative effects of COVID-19 on crew members was the restriction to leave the ship. While there are still some restrictions in place in certain regions, the impact of COVID-19 on seafarers is now largely waning. This means crews are now able to make more use of welfare centers and visit key facilities, provisions and entertainment when ashore. 3. Social interactions: Mental health is vastly interrelated with how people feel in their working environ- ment. This is even more impactful when the working environment is the ship, where people will stay also after finishing their shifts. Build - ing good relationships onboard is fundamental for the seafarer to feel part of a team, thus insulating and protecting them from some of the less positive aspects of seagoing. ISWAN research also proved that social interaction promotes mental and physical health and provides an essential outlet for seafarers from their work onboard. A R T I C L E