Study explores the mental health supports seafarers found most valuable

Study explores the mental health supports seafarers found most valuable
Matt Coyne 10 February 2022 https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/study-explores-the-mental...

Crew members enjoyed greater communication with shore, but most of all wanted to get home

Seafarers who weathered the storm of the Covid-19 crew change crisis rested easier knowing their families back home were taken care of.

But most of all, they just wanted to get off their ships in a timely fashion.

A study led by a team of researchers from the University of the Philippines Visayas surveyed more than 1,400 seafarers to find what mental health interventions had the most positive impact on board as many countries shut down their borders, trapping crews on board their ships.

“The results confirm the importance of family life among many seafarers,” the researchers said in the study, put together with support from the University of Plymouth and the World Maritime University.

“Company support of seafarers’ family, as well as adequate data allowances to enable frequent communication are seen as extremely valuable for seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing.”

The survey found the most effective initiatives, provided by both shipping companies and third-parties like non-government organisations, charities and governments, centred around connection to family ashore.

Nearly 68% of respondents found companies providing support to families was effective, while 64% found increased wi-fi data allowances were a positive. Providing high-quality personal protective equipment was seen as a positive by 63% of those surveyed.

For initiatives provided by third-parties, like non-government organisations and governments vaccine prioritisation was helpful for 78% and getting the jab for 74%.

A positive and collegial atmosphere on board was a plus for 74%.

By far and away, the two best-received initiatives was companies affecting timely crew changes, with nearly 80% of respondents supporting it, while just under 88% said communication with family back home provided by third-parties was a positive.

Olivia Swift, senior programme manager at the Lloyds Register Foundation, which funded the study, said many of the most popular interventions were not widely provided.

“While some seafarers have experienced timely crew changes and vaccination against Covid-19, there was more than could have been done,” Swift said, noting the potential for mental health helplines, reduced overtime hours and more port chaplain services.

“We must recognise that seafarers are humans first, workers second and this pilot study shows that both companies and other stakeholders could do more to provide support.”

At the height of the crew change crisis, as many as 400,000 seafarers were stuck on board their ships, many for a year or longer as governments feared facilitating crew changes would help spread Covid-19.

Since, the numbers have come down considerably, with the Neptune Declaration reporting 4.2% of seafarers were working beyond their contracts and 0.4% on board for 11 months or longer through mid-January, a drip from 9% and 1.3% just six months before.

But the crew change crisis has fuelled fears that shipping could run into a seafarer shortage, with a handful of shipmanagers telling TradeWinds last autumn that retention has become more difficult.