Crew wellbeing

The tools that make a difference

Kunal Pathak, Loss Prevention Manager, Gard, provides expert advice on the critical area of crew wellbeing that has shot up the agenda in the shipping industry in the Covid-19 era

Gard has been looking into crew wellbeing since well before Covid-19 disrupted the world order. We know there is a series of existing measures - some relatively easy to implement - that can make a world of difference to the health and safety of

our seafarers.

Crew wellness has been high on the agenda in the maritime industry over the last year. From the several discussions that we have had with our members and our peers in the industry, the one common observation is that crew wellness is multi-dimensional.

No one policy or procedure is sufficient on its own. Crew wellness requires a holistic approach and a conducive environment to be effective.

SAFE AND SECURE WORKPLACE

The multi-dimensional approach to crew wellness can be summarised as two key strategies. The first would be to ensure that the crew has a safe and secure place to work. This would include, amongst others, policies on: > Employment contracts, including pre-joining medical examinations; > Fatigue management; > Diet and food management; > Management of hierarchy on board; > KPI’s and the system of reward and reprimand; > Safety management systems and plans; > Shore-based support to seafarers; > Use of internet and other recreational facilities; and, > Welfare of next-of-kin.

Several of the above policies have been used by our members, with some being more effective than others. However, when collectively implemented, their effectiveness was commented on positively by the seafarers we interviewed a few years ago.

In addition to the above, seafarers are also recommended to manage their own wellbeing. Some shipowners have issued handbooks and guides to self-care which include activities like yoga, meditation, regular workouts, social gathering and writing daily journals.

Gard has published an insight on how seafarers can help themselves during the uncertain Covid-19 period (see Gard.no). However, while the first strategic approach to ensure a safe and secure workplace is important, we still need to plan for when things go wrong.

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

The second strategic approach becomes effective when a crisis hits. A number of shipowners/managers have tried different approaches to deal with cases of mental illness or crisis onboard.

Gard’s experience we know that the trauma can stay with the individual for years and can have a long term effect on their wellbeing.

“While there is insurance

coverage to mitigate the financial loss caused by an incident, the emotional impact is rarely adressed or compensated.’’

SUPPORTING NEXT OF KIN

port to deal with post-traumatic stress. This is an area which is frequently overlooked after a serious casualty as the process goes into an investigation mode to get to the root cause of the occurrence. While investigations are necessary, the human impact of the incident is often sidelined leaving the affected seafarers to deal with their problems on their own. From When looking at crisis counselling, the importance of supporting the next of kin of a deceased/affected seafarer is another important aspect which needs our attention. While there is insurance coverage to mitigate the financial loss caused by an incident, the emotional impact on the family members of the seafarer is arely adressed or compensated. Crisis counselling by a qualified Kunal Pathak, and experienced professional can provide Gard initial support. This in turn, assures seafarers that the wellbeing of their loved ones matters as much to the organisation as the seafarers themselves. These have gained a lot more attention in the recent times given Hotlines can act more as a conduit the collateral damage caused by Covid-19 in shipping. The policies for the seafarers to use their voice. However, given that the may include: maritime industry is traditionally hierarchical in which indi> Psychological first aid to the crew; viduals in a higher position have significant power over their > Crisis counselling to the seafarers and their next of kin, co-workers, the boundaries between“command and control” as required, post a casualty; and, and bullying are easily breached. > Dedicated hotlines for seafarers to report cases of Hotlines for crew to voice their concerns can be effective in harassment, bullying or depression. ensuring sufficient checks and balances are in place for

From Gard’s own data on mental health and suicides, we see effective management on board the vessel. The effectiveness that the number of cases have remained unchanged over the past of these hotlines vary as they depend on how such policies 10 years but increased significantly in 2020 when and procedures are implemented. compared to previous years. That being said, we fully recognise that our data alone may not be sufficient to assess the scale of CONCLUSION the problem in the shipping industry. Wellbeing of the crew is multi-faceted, and we need to

It is safe to assume that the scale of the problem is consider- acknowledge the holistic approach that is required to be able ably larger than what we see. For this reason we have to see some positive outcomes. Further, the obligation of crew promoted training of seafarers and to some extent, shore staff, wellbeing is not limited to the vessels’ owners/managers. Each in the basics of psychological first aid. A number of Gard’s claims player in the maritime industry needs to play their part to handlers are trained in psychological first aid and we have sum- make it work. marised some of the highlights of the training in our insight on The commercial interests, port states, insurers, and Mental Health First Aid. policymakers all have a stake in ensuring the wellbeing of the

In addition to providing psychological first aid, we have also seafarers. We have witnessed the importance of this seen the impact of providing crisis counselling to seafarers after a collaborative approach on an industry level when the industry casualty. Those who have been unfortunate enough to was looking for solutions to the current crew crisis, experience, or even witness, a casualty on board may need sup- exacerbated by Covid-19.