Seaways – May 2018

Feature: Mental health at sea

Read Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways May 2018 |  Seaways  |   

In addition many deaths are from so-called ‘lifestyle’ diseases. ‘We

have it in our power to educate people to make better choices about

physical wellness, fitness on board, food safety, malaria and HIV,’ he

added.

Delegates pointed out the stresses that they felt seafarers faced. These

included:

l Uncertainty about being relieved in time

l aperwork and bureaucracyP

l Stress and anxiety in confined spaces

l Inability to see a doctor easily for minor ailments

l Distance from family

l Financial concerns

l Fatigue.

The generation gap

Captain Kuba Szymanski FNI, Secretary General of InterManager,

challenged the ‘myth’ of seafarers being uncomfortable with different

nationalities on board. ‘Do we feel uncomfortable with 17 nationalities

in this conference room?’ he asked. ‘No, because shipping has always

been international.’ Instead, his concern was for the generation gap

which he saw emerging. ‘We complain about youngsters, but they are

all our future.’ He advocated reverse mentoring and asked who was

responsible for the generation gap – younger people or older ones?

‘We do have an issue as an industry, but it’s not a young generation

issue. We older people have to embark on ownership for this. Is our

generation trying to be inclusive?’

A moving description of his own depression when at sea was given by

Daniel Thompson, now a pilot with the Port of London Authority. He

described the isolation and withdrawal that he felt and the realisation

that he was not doing his job properly.

Identifying leadership

In the breakout sessions, delegates called for help in formulating best

practice, with companies concentrating on building resilience in

individuals. There was a feeling that P&I could encourage shipping

companies to introduce measures, and that education was needed

across the industry.

Again and again leadership was mentioned as the way to enhance

the emotional wellbeing of the crew. Captain Michalis Malliaros of

Euronav said: ‘Wellness on board is a leader’s role.’ Companies need

to know how to identify leaders – who might not always be senior

officers, although the Master can be key in identifying them. ‘A leader

can be anyone from the Master down. Masters must be able to identify

them and it will take courage for a Master to admit someone else has

leadership skills to make a difference with mental health issues. These

are the Masters we want to find and create.’

The Nautical Institute has several publications that promote a

sensible approach to mental wellbeing on vessels, and leadership

is the issue here.

For essential guidance on the main issues, senior management

should consult Managing Traumatic Stress, published in

conjunction with Human Rights at Sea.

Human Performance and Limitation helps the seafarer

understand how they can recognise and manage their own stresses

and strains, thereby keeping both the vessel and themselves safe.

BOOK OF THE MONTH:

Mentoring at Sea

Order from: [email protected] by the end of May 2018

“Being mentored is an integral part of the

learning process. We use Mentoring at Sea

for our courses; it’s readable and written by

a seafarer which is very important.

I commend it. ”

John Bazley, Head of School of Professional Studies

Warsash Maritime Academy

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