Johan Smith: Shaping the Future of Seafarer Wellbeing - CIO Look

Johan Smith: Shaping the Future of Seafarer Wellbeing - CIO Look
https://ciolook.com/johan-smith-shaping-the-future-of-seafarer-wellbeing/

The maritime industry plays a critical role in global trade, with seafarers at its core facing unique challenges that often go unnoticed. Issues and struggles are prevalent among those who spend extended periods at sea. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of seafarers, who are integral to the smooth operation of the global supply chain. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the holistic well-being of these individuals, highlighting the need for comprehensive support programs that address both physical and mental health.

Johan Smith, Head of Wellness, has dedicated his career to improving the lives of seafarers. Inspired by his early encounters with struggling seafarers in Cape Town, Johan realized the significant gap in mental health support within the maritime industry. His vision led to the creation of the Wellness at Sea program, which has since become a global movement. Through his leadership, over 50,000 seafarers have benefited from this pioneering initiative, which addresses their holistic needs and promotes a healthier work environment.

Sailors’ Society, a recognized NGO in the maritime sector, recognized the value of Johan’s program and integrated it into their offerings. By offering a platform for collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, shipping companies, and unions, the Sailors’ Society effectively addresses the multifaceted issues impacting seafarers. Its innovative approach and commitment to seafarer wellbeing have established it as a leader in providing comprehensive support and services, ensuring a safer and more supportive working environment for the maritime workforce.

Let’s explore Johan’s effective leadership journey in the maritime industry:

Addressing Seafarer Wellbeing

Fifteen years ago, while working for a local NGO in the Port of Cape Town, Johan frequently encountered seafarers struggling with issues such as isolation, fatigue and poor mental health. These are often the underlying causes of the unique challenges of life at sea. What inspired Johan to pursue a career in the maritime industry was the realization that there was a significant gap in addressing the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers.

His experience highlighted the need for a program to support seafarers holistically and multi-dimensionally, recognizing that they are much more than merely occupational human beings. This led to the creation of the Wellness at Sea program.

What began as a small idea, presented to a few maritime students in Cape Town, has now become a global movement. Over the years, more than 50,000 seafarers have benefited from the program in one way or another. The Wellness at Sea program was the first of its kind in the maritime industry, and its pioneering approach has been widely recognized and awarded internationally.

The success of the program today is undeniably the result of an extraordinary team effort. In 2014, the Sailor’s Society offered to take on the program, and its invaluable contribution has been undeniably instrumental in establishing Wellness at Sea as the most comprehensive of its kind in the industry.

The impact and growth of the Wellness at Sea program have sustained Johan’s motivation. The ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of seafarers by addressing critical issues that affect their daily work and safety continues to drive his passion for this field.

The opportunity to expand the program globally by working for the Sailor’s Society and seeing the positive response from seafarers and the maritime community has been incredibly rewarding. Also, on an organizational level, Johan is empowered to continue developing and delivering new services that reflect the needs of seafarers. This support for new ideas is a great motivator.

Unifying the Maritime Industry

Johan firmly believes that his industry is about people, not ships. Without seafarers, ships are mere pieces of scrap metal. Ensuring the wellbeing of seafarers remains a challenge and should be a top priority. Progress has been made, but the context in which these essential workers operate has grown increasingly complex. Quick turnaround times and stringent regulations often deny seafarers shore leave.

Reduced crew sizes and heavier workloads exacerbate stress, and the impact of international turmoil is profound. Geopolitical issues, such as the dangers of the Red Sea and the Ukraine war, create unpredictable and perilous working conditions. Piracy remains a persistent threat, endangering lives and disrupting global trade. These are just a few of the issues contributing to this highly complex context.

According to Johan, the most significant step the industry can take to navigate these complexities is collaboration. When international organizations like the IMO and ILO, shipping companies, unions, seafarers, and NGOs join forces, the response to the growing number of challenges can be exponentially strengthened. NGOs like the Sailor’s Society are uniquely positioned to facilitate this collaboration. It works with partners ranging from governments to unions to shipowners, effectively addressing the issues seafarers face.

Often, the different sectors of the industry operate in isolation. However, NGOs like Sailor’s Society serve as a unifying platform where all stakeholders can come together. By empowering NGOs, substantial progress can be made in addressing the well-being challenges of seafarers.

This collaborative approach ensures that seafarers receive the comprehensive support they need, helping to create a safer and more supportive working environment. The Sailor’s Society is renowned for its leadership in providing innovative solutions and services aimed at improving the well-being of seafarers. It is committed to continuing its work and collaborating with others to strengthen its efforts further.

A Data-Driven Approach to Maritime Challenges

In the coming decade, Johan believes that technology’s role in the maritime industry will expand significantly, impacting safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, and, notably, the well-being of seafarers. He sees data analytics playing a crucial role not only in predictive maintenance, route optimization, and cargo management but also in enhancing seafarers’ well-being.

Over the past year, the Sailor’s Society has collected 280,000 data points on seafarer wellbeing. It has developed platforms and networks that provide unparalleled access to data that helps it understand the everyday lives and challenges of seafarers. Data is no longer a byproduct of its operations but is now an integral part of its strategy. Through its in-depth research reports, the Sailor’s Society will help it navigate the future and assist the industry in better understanding the needs of seafarers.

An example of such research is a recent detailed study focusing on the relationship between internet connectivity on vessels and seafarer wellbeing. This study unequivocally demonstrated a correlation between these two constructs, showing that better connectivity leads to higher levels of well-being, reduced isolation and loneliness, and increased social connectivity and belonging.

It also actively engages Generation Z, who are the future of maritime, a new generation of digital natives who expect to access services virtually. It has taken advantage of technological advances, such as its virtual cadet conferences, which have enabled it to reach some 10,000 cadets who are actively engaged through the platform. Another example is utilizing WhatsApp for its peer-to-peer support groups.

It now engages with 130 peer-to-peer support groups for cadets, seafarers, captains, females, the LGBTQ+, seafarer families, and others daily, building relationships and connecting them to resources. On the one hand, it is excited to use technology to tailor its future services at Sailor’s Society, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving needs of the maritime industry. It is also thrilled that technology—from internet connectivity to wearable smart devices—will positively impact seafarer wellbeing.

While it recognizes the potential pitfalls of technology, it believes that following a data-driven approach will allow it to navigate these challenges effectively. By leveraging technology thoughtfully and responsibly, it aims to improve the quality of life for seafarers, making the maritime industry not only more efficient but also a more humane space for its workforce.

Leadership in Maritime

According to Johan, effective leadership in the maritime industry requires a unique blend of qualities, with empathy standing out as particularly crucial. A genuine concern for and understanding of the personal and professional challenges that seafarers face is essential for developing policies and practices that genuinely support their well-being.

This empathy is at the heart of what Johan’s team does at the Sailors’ Society. Furthermore, in an ever-changing and sometimes upside-down world, no leader will survive without being adaptable. It calls for resilience and determination.

Visionary thinking is another indispensable quality required in maritime leaders. Recently, under the leadership of its CEO, Sara Baade, the Sailors’ Society has made significant strategic changes that enhance its readiness for the future. It’s about having a vision of how things can be.

Leaders must look beyond the current state of the maritime industry, anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and engage in strategic planning while prioritizing innovation. This proactive approach is essential for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Lastly, integrity is more crucial than ever. The industry needs leaders who not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. The popularity of supporting wellbeing and signing declarations can sometimes overshadow actual progress. Leaders who are committed to real action and accountability are needed, moving beyond mere declarations to effect true change in the industry.

Shaping the Future of Seafaring

The maritime industry, as Johan observes, has faced significant disruptions from a global pandemic to conflict. At the same time, the speed of evolution in technology has brought change—and fast. Just like all those who are and will be successful in the industry, they must be flexible and equally fast-paced. The team at the Sailor’s Society has its eyes firmly fixed on the horizon and beyond and works tirelessly to ensure it is fit for the future so it can work alongside others to serve its seafarers best today and tomorrow.

Ensuring it is relevant and innovative, delivering solutions that meet both the wider industry and its workforce needs, assures resilience. It’s what the organization is known for collating unparalleled data to shape the industry’s understanding of seafarers’ motivations and concerns; its focus on cadets ensuring they are mentally and emotionally prepared for life at sea; and setting up its incredibly popular peer-to-peer support groups where seafarers can join online communities supporting those in the same boat but not the same ship as them.

Creativity, originality, and vision keep Sailor’s Society moving forward. The ideas it is working on now mean it can stay one step ahead. It is fortunate that during the disruptions in recent years, it had a CEO who could manage stormy tides through cross-organizational engagement and support.

Continuity in a Changing World

Johan and his team are data-driven. The work they do and the programs they introduce are founded on the comprehensive data they have from seafarers, telling them how they feel and what they need. They will always listen and respond to that need. And as needs change, they will innovate.

Another top priority for the organization is collaboration: working with shipping companies to get the best results for their business and crews, with governments and umbrella organizations that set policy and regulations, and with manning agents, unions, seafarers, and their families. Sailor’s Society’s ability to flex, shift, and embrace the new is its strength. Sailor’s Society has adapted for more than 200 years, and it isn’t about to stop any time soon.