Sailors’ Society’s plea to the maritime industry
(Posted on 22/06/21)
The shipping industry must help seafarers now to prevent a mental health catastrophe – that’s the message from international maritime charity Sailors’ Society as the most recent Covid wave threatens a new peak of the crew change crisis.
The charity is building a new Wellness at Sea e-learning platform, which it will make available for free to all seafarers around the globe in response to the pandemic. It says companies urgently need to get on board its Wellness at Sea campaign and make crew wellbeing a priority.
The call comes as companies have raised fears that the crew change crisis will be worse than last year, following surges in crew supply countries and a number of ports closing to seafarers arriving from India.
Sailors’ Society’s CEO Sara Baade said: “Seafaring was already one of the most challenging jobs in the world, and now the Covid crew change crisis has added even more intense pressure on our crews. They are exhausted and anxious – they either face months of uncertainty at sea or the fear of being unable to work and provide for their families.
“It’s a mental health time bomb for the industry, which relies on their labour to keep our global economy moving.
“We are making our Wellness at Sea e-learning and awareness campaign available for free, so there is nothing stopping companies from getting on board to protect their crews’ mental health. Their future – and ours – depends on it.”
The new Wellness at Sea e-learning platform is due to launch later this year. Sailors’ Society is also offering a free 27-week Wellness at Sea awareness programme to shipping companies, which starts at the end of this month [June] and provides information and resources on mental health for their crews, alongside a free helpline for seafarers who are struggling with their mental health or just need someone to talk to.
To find out more about how your organisation can get on board and take advantage of the free Wellness at Sea resources, contact Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea programme manager Johan Smith on j.smith@sailors-society.org or +27 82 772 1814.
The Sailors’ Society emergency helpline can be reached on +1 938 222 8181 or wellnessatsea.org/helpline.
Latest News
ISS strengthens presence in South America
(Posted on 14/01/26)Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a global leader in port agency and marine services, has announced... Read more
NORDEN sells two vessels and adds new leases with purchase options
(Posted on 14/01/26)NORDEN have confirm that they have sold two vessels from their owned fleet, one Capesize vessel and... Read more
Pacific Basin announces acquisition of four Handysize newbuildings
(Posted on 06/01/26)Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has entered... Read more
AtoB@C Shipping takes delivery of Fleximar
(Posted on 23/12/25)AtoB@C Shipping, a subsidiary of ESL Shipping, has announced the successful delivery of Fleximar, the... Read more
Western Bulk re-enters ship ownership with selected partners
(Posted on 18/12/25)Western Bulk, together with reputable Norwegian partners A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, Premium Maritime... Read more
Pacific Basin announces formation of a Sustainable Energy Solutions team
(Posted on 18/12/25)Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has announced... Read more
Columbia expects significant growth as more owners shift operations to the UAE
(Posted on 09/12/25)Columbia Group anticipates a period of strong expansion as an increasing number of international shipowners... Read more
Norse Ship Management emerges as digital leader among new-generation ship managers
(Posted on 09/12/25)Norse?Ship Management has expanded its use of Smart Ship Hub’s high frequency sensor data and... Read more
Maritime health experts welcome STCW amendments, but urge against checkbox compliance
(Posted on 09/12/25)As the maritime industry gears up to welcome the IMO’s STCW bullying and harassment training amendments... Read more
NORDEN acquires Southern African cargo activities of Taylor Maritime
(Posted on 02/12/25)NORDEN has acquired the cargo activities of Taylor Maritime in Southern Africa (previously operated... Read more
