Page 21 - 2021 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

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Encouraging seafarers to eat healthily,
exercise regularly, and take regular work
breaks is essential to maintain positive

physical and mental health.
”

So, who does a seafarer turn to if he or she needs some help and support? Encouraging seafarers to eat healthily,
Seafarer health is one of the key elements of Britannia’s BSafe initiative, a proactive exercise regularly, and take regular work
safety campaign targeted at seafarers onboard its Members’ ships. Britannia recognises breaks is essential to maintain positive
the demands and pressures on the men and women who work around the clock at sea, physical and mental health. In addition,
especially in these challenging times, and that is why it has launched its BSafe campaign. taking part in group activities like team
Under the three main themes of onboard safety, seafarer health, and onboard security, games and socialising together to cele-
the BSafe campaign aims to help influence behaviours and prevent onboard injuries and brate special anniversaries or watching
losses. By sharing relevant information and developing strategies to support various as- popular films or TV programmes will help
pects of onboard operations, the objective is to help Britannia’s Members’ crews be safe. integrate crew and improve productivity
Crew welfare and wellbeing are particularly relevant at this time, given the extra demands on board.
and pressures under which seafarers are operating due to the global pandemic. Encouraging seafarers to talk about their
Seafarers work in unique conditions, which regularly challenge their mental, physical problems with colleagues or ring one of
and social wellbeing. BSafe Britannia provides guidance on lifestyle changes and tips the seafarer charity helplines to speak
on what you can do to improve your physical and psychological wellbeing. BSafe also with specially trained professionals will
provides links to charities and organisations which support the wellbeing of seafarers help support their mental health.
across the world. In fact, Britannia is supporting the Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea Ultimately, if seafarers feel valued by their
Awareness Campaign, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis to in- employers, then they are more likely to be
crease awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues and motivate crew and provide motivated to take pride in their work and
practical support to help seafarers through challenging times. view their role as a step on a career path
As part of its BSafe initiative, Britannia is rolling out the Sailors’ Society awareness campaign rather than just another job. Therefore,
to its Members. A variety of resources and materials to support seafarers’ mental health supporting the mental health and well-
have been made available on the BSafe website, including podcasts, videos, and posters. being of crews will be beneficial to our
Each part of the campaign includes ‘seafarer activities’ designed to encourage seafarers to Members as well as the crew members
engage and take active steps to support their mental health and general wellbeing. themselves.

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