There has been a growing concern among seafarers community both ashore and on board with respect to the mental well-being of seafarers. Seafaring demands long duration away from home, working in physical demanding conditions, time bound pressure for many jobs, multinational crew with different cultural understandings, highly regulated industry, loneliness, fast turnaround in ports and sleep deprivation etc. These are the factors which have direct impact on mental well-being of the seafarers.
The faster turn around in ports gives less and less opportunities for the crew to step ashore. Sleep pattern is disturbed due to 24 hrs shifts in work and moreover clocks being changed as per the time zone. Adding to that is the noise and vibration of vessel’s machinery. Loneliness as they are cut off from world when days in sea and multi nationality crew speaking different. language. Family related and other personnel issues will add to it the anxiety.
Mental depression lead to reduced work performance, more prone to accidents, exposure to violence and suicides in extreme cases. There have been many cases where seafarers have jumped overboard. Suicide is a spur of the moment decision and ship provides easy opportunity to do, water all around. Ten years data of Indian seafarers deaths stands at about 580 in which 200 were accidental and 380 non accidental reason in which 23 were suicide cases.
Various organizations have come forward to help seafarers in dealing with mental stress and work towards their well-being. Director General of shipping has taken mental health as a critical issue and has issued guidelines for grievance addressable. They have launched help line numbers, email contact on their web portal for Indian seafarers. To keep track and attend genuine calls they don’t entertain anonymous complaints but a grievance through proper channel and guarantee that seafarer’s identity will be protected.
In DG Shipping website you can create a profile or can do without it, by clicking on report a casualty.
DG shipping has started “Sagar mey Yog” where they signed Mou with Yoga association to make a module for Yoga for seafarers on board and ashore. It aims at enhancing the well-being of about 2.5 lacs seafarers. It aims to have yoga. programmes especially for the seafarers so to have healthy and resilient workforce driving the global trade.
National Union of Seafarers of India has provided toll free help line number for crew suffering any kind of mental illness.
Then we have (24×7) call numbers frin FSUI sea call Promoted by ITF.
Also sailors society has a chat facility, number for call and email also.
So, industry has collectively come forward to address this growing issue with seafarers all over the world.
The above numbers are for seafarers families also because they will be first one who can make out that something is amiss with their father, son, spouse or daughter on board. They can put across their concern to these organizations by using the above numbers and to the RPSL company.
Shipping companies provide training on various platforms regarding mental health and well- being. Related mobile apps access has been provided to each seafarer for mental health. Companies are also providing shore-based training to top four on vessel in recognizing signs of mental health issues in crew on board.
What a Seafarers Can Do :-
- Keep financial burdens less. Don’t go for extended contracts. A thin line between need and greed shouldn’t be crossed.
- Spend time at home with families during vacations.
- Develop a hobby or passion which you can peruse in leisure time on board. It can be reading books, meditation, sketching. doing yoga daily and so on.
- Regular exercise. It’s not same as doing job related physical work.
- Avoid indulging in sedatives or drugs use.
- Keep in touch with families.
- Any issues please take up with on board management. It’s always good to reach out to your colleagues, good communication goes a long way in solving majority of the issues. Do not tolerate any kind of harassment.
- Plan your carrier e.g. at times if can’t clear exams in India then move on. We have many option in various countries for competency exams. Don’t get stuck in one rank for long.
- Avoid the rat race of going up the ladder and changing companies frequently.
- Participate in e-learning activities as arranged by the company.
Families can play a crucial role in providing support and strength, please don’t treat seafarers. as ATM machines. Avoiding going under big financial commitments. Keep in close contact with you kin or relative when he or she is at sea.
Capt. Rahul Sharma,
Senior Marine Superintendent BSM Ship Management, Mumbai.