Lack of confidentiality discourages seafarers from reporting health concerns

(Posted on 23/04/26)

Seafarers are being discouraged from reporting health concerns early due to a lack of onboard medical confidentiality, rather than any lack of resilience or willingness to speak up, according to Marine Medical Solutions (MMS).

Access to confidential medical support at sea remains limited. Most seafarers cannot contact a doctor directly and must first report concerns through leadership first.

By the time a professional is involved, personal health information has often been shared with multiple people, many of whom have no medical expertise and little need to know.

“Seafarers today are more aware of their health than ever before. They pay attention to symptoms and understand the importance of getting help early,” said Dr Jens Tülsner, CEO of MMS, member of the OneCare Group.

Having grown up alongside technology, younger seafarers often seek information privately online and try to make sense of a problem before deciding whether to raise it with a senior officer or a medical professional. This is not always about toughness or reluctance to cope, but reflects the way that people engage with health information today, Dr Tülsner added.

The way that medical support is structured onboard also discourages early reporting, he explained. Experiences can vary depending on who is in charge - some Captains and senior officers escalate concerns immediately, while others try to mitigate issues onboard themselves first. This inconsistency is what leaves seafarers uncertain about how their concerns will be handled.

As a result, minor symptoms may be minimised and problems self-managed. Conditions that could have been addressed early may develop into more serious issues, creating unnecessary risk for both the individual seafarer and the vessel as a whole.

“If we want seafarers to feel comfortable coming forward, we must first give them the confidence that their concerns will be handled with the utmost discretion,” said Dr Tülsner.

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