The Mission to Seafarers, in its latest Seafarer Happiness Index Report, says that seafarers want "more practical, real-world training that better addresses the unique challenges of working at sea," but there is a positive shift in seafarer satisfaction
The Index is a quarterly survey undertaken by the Mission.
Ben Bailey, Director of Programme at the Mission says: "While it is encouraging to see another slight rise in seafarer happiness, this report clearly shows that significant challenges remain. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade and we must prioritise their well-being. There's more to be done to ensure crews feel supported, respected, and rewarded for their vital work."
The Seafarers Happiness Index is a quarterly survey undertaken by the Mission to Seafarers
The report shows an increase in satisfaction in several areas of seafaring life in Q3 2024, with a big effect being credited to international shipping diversions away from the troubled Red Sea due to the Israeli/Gaza situation.
"This has positively impacted morale and overall well-being," says the Mission. "Seafarers also continue to appreciate improvements in food quality. The availability of fitness and recreational facilities, while present, is often underutilised due to fatigue, highlighting the need for more holistic solutions to improve work-life balance and rest. There is also growing dissatisfaction with the relevance of some training programmes, with calls for more practical, real-world training that better addresses the unique challenges of working at sea. Stress related to workloads, particularly due to watchkeeping duties and time zone changes, remains a critical issue. Seafarers have voiced concerns about the removal of certain engineering ranks, which is negatively impacting ship maintenance and overall efficiency."
