Seafarers’ happiness by vessel kind
The Mission to Seafarers has revealed the most recent Seafarers Happiness Index report for first quarter 2023. It reveals that there was a decline in general happiness ranges amongst seafarers in the course of the first three months of the yr. The survey, which captures seafarers’ sentiments worldwide throughout a variety of welfare points, exhibits a fall from 7.69 to 7.1 out of 10, in comparison with fourth quarter 2022.
The Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) report covers ten key questions that present insights into the challenges and alternatives going through seafarers. The first quarter survey was undertaken with the help of NorthStandard and Idwal, and identifies a return to rising frustrations amongst respondents, following a interval of rising happiness.
Seafarers have been comparatively happy within the final quarter of 2022, however sentiment has since worsened. The common happiness stage of seafarers first quarter 2023 was 7.1, which is decrease than the degrees recorded within the final three quarters of 2022. In truth, 9 out of ten areas surveyed confirmed a lower in happiness ranges. Despite an optimistic outlook for enhancements to seafarer welfare in 2023, the most recent report signifies that these expectations haven’t but been met and that there’s nonetheless a lot room for enchancment.
The first quarter knowledge exhibits a decline in seafarers’ satisfaction on all questions, aside from connectivity. Even so, seafarers nonetheless reported connectivity points at sea throughout completely different firms, in addition to considerations about knowledge allowances, web pace, and connectivity limitations.
Shore go away and a need to entry welfare providers ashore as soon as extra got here to the fore as key areas for concern. Seafarers additionally reported rising frustration with homeowners who try to make seafarers signal on for longer intervals than desired, in addition to with the delays skilled in sign-off procedures. In addition, the challenges of dealing with prolonged intervals on board have reportedly been made tougher as a consequence of insufficient meals provisions, bureaucratic and pointless paperwork calls for, ineffective shipboard management, and a way of social isolation including to the stress of life onboard.
Other challenges identied included a rising wellness hole between firms that present well being and well-being applications and people that don’t, entry to dental care in some ports however not others, and restricted entry to psychological well being help, medical advisory providers, and bodily well-being consultations. Seafarers additionally expressed considerations about pay, the price of dwelling, and potential obstacles to profession development.
Despite the challenges, says the Mission to Seafarers, seafarers acknowledge the significance of optimistic onboard interactions for his or her well-being and job satisfaction. However, inadequate leisure choices on board are making it tougher for them to discover a motive to return collectively. Therefore, there’s a want for improved social actions and shared areas to encourage crew members to work together. This is not going to solely improve their general expertise however can even contribute to safer and extra environment friendly operations on board ships. Prioritizing crew interactions and relationships is essential for mutual respect, efficient communication, camaraderie, and teamwork on each ship.
“We saw the satisfaction of seafarers steadily grow throughout 2022, and this continued into the fourth quarter with a high-water mark of satisfaction at 7.69/10, says the Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers. “Unfortunately, this positive trend came to an end in the first quarter of this year, as happiness levels have declined almost across the board. This illustrates how important it is to maintain momentum on seafarer welfare and why there can be zero complacency over the conditions in which our seafarers find themselves.”
“We are committed to working with the shipping industry to address the challenges facing seafarers and improve their welfare. The SHI is an important tool in this work, and we are grateful to all the seafarers who participated in the survey.”
Thom Herbert, Idwal senior marine surveyor and crew welfare advocate, commented:“The dip in the Seafarers’ Happiness Index in the first quarter of 2023 is a worrying sign after the steady increase last year and we will watch Q2’s results with interest to see whether this is the start of a downward trend. Hopefully not! It’s very frustrating to hear about ongoing issues with lack of shore leave and sign-off procedures being delayed. Moving out of the pandemic does not make lack of shore leave any less of an issue and we need to keep a spotlight on this to ensure it improves. I was particularly interested to hear about the challenges related to onboard meals, food budgets and quality, etc. As a former seafarer, I know how important good nutrition and good food is to keep you healthy and motivated. Good meal times together can also go a long way to help the onboard culture and camaraderie. Getting food right for people is basic and we should be doing better.”
Capt Yves Vandenborn, director of loss prevention at NorthStandard, added: “It is unfortunate to see a dip in satisfaction levels from 7.69/10 to 7.10/10 in Quarter 1 of 2023, following the incremental rise reported throughout 2022. Persistent frustrations with shore leave and challenges with extended periods on board appear to have had a negative impact on scoring as the pace of industry-wide improvement to these areas has been slow. There is also a growing awareness amongst seafarers of the disparities in terms of provision of connectivity, access to mental health support and wellbeing programs offered to crew by companies across the industry. NorthStandard will continue raising awareness of these important wellbeing aspects to support positive change, improve job satisfaction, productivity, and retention among seafarers.”
- To learn the most recent Seafarers Happiness Index report, click on HERE
