Page 24 - 2021 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

MINERVA’S OFFICERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES IN THIS ISSUE’S FEATURE ON SEAFARER WELLBEING

This issue’s key Question
Wellbeing onboard: What do seafarers really want?

Captains’ Insight

Capt. Nikolaos Gerakaris Capt. Antonios Zouzoulas
Master, M/T Minerva Helen and separation from family and friends, Master, M/T Zourva
not to mention the anxiety caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the
Today, being a sailor has much-needed crew changes and seafarers’ Life at sea can be stressful.
become a difficult job. The employment prospects. The nature of the job de-
COVID-19 pandemic and However, enhancing seafarer wellbeing mands long periods away
the resulting economic allows crew members to deal with these from one’s family, long
crisis have raised many issues around the challenges, thus improving a crew’s overall working hours, and limited time for social-
world. Seafarers face long working hours, performance. Companies have invested in izing. If you add to these the stressful work
hard work, perils at sea, and being away modern technologies to enable crews to environment and bad news from home, it
from their families, which leaves little or contact their loved ones by phone, email, is easy to see why seafarers can become
no room for weakness. When you also or video call through the Internet provided anxious or depressed. The mental welfare
consider the absence of personal life and on board. Furthermore, good camaraderie of seafarers is just as important as their
the cases where wages remain unpaid, among crew members contributes to their physical wellbeing.
shore leave is not allowed or canceled, wellbeing by helping them cope with loneli- Mental illness impacts the crew member,
and the difficulties in repatriation, a big ness, and a healthy diet and regular exercise those around him, and the entire work
question arises: What do seafarers really benefit their body and mind. The mental environment. Mental health issues can lead
want? We all want to have a good day on health of crews should be checked and to low morale, poor concentration, and in-
board the vessel. For me, a good day at monitored, and they should have access to creased susceptibility to illness and injury,
sea means a good day’s work in a friendly a Helpline if needed. A crew’s wellbeing is leading to severely degraded job perfor-
work environment that fuels my personal greatly enhanced if the command structure mance that may put colleagues or vessels
growth and adds to the operational bet- on board, i.e., the senior officers, seek the at risk.
terment of the vessel. opinion and collaborate with all crew mem- The mental and physical wellbeing of sea-
bers on board, thus creating a happy ship. farers is an important factor in a vessel’s
Capt. Jovanni Garcia A happy ship is a safe and productive ship. safe operation.
Master, M/T Minerva Nounou
Capt. Emmanouil N. Komninos
Enhancing the wellbeing Capt. Apostolos Zachos Master, M/T Minerva Karteria
of seafarers is essential Master, M/T Minerva Olympia
as it allows them to focus Seafaring has always been
on their work, particularly Seafarer wellbeing is a considered one of the most
now that everyone is afraid of the Covid-19 holistic concept combin- challenging and demand-
virus and many have been contaminated. To ing physical, mental, and ing professions. Seafarers
put their minds at ease, seafarers should social wellbeing. People need to have many attributes and a dynam-
have regular health check-ups as the stress often forget that psychological and phys- ic personality in order to face the physical
caused by the pandemic could lead to psy- ical wellbeing are interlinked. If you don’t working conditions, the considerable stress,
chological problems, depression, or even feel good in your body, it is likely you won’t the dangerous situations, and the isolation
suicide. Shipping companies should make feel happy either, and any minor additional while at sea. It is widely acknowledged that
the wellbeing of their seafarers their priori- stress may quickly result in a feeling of wellbeing plays a crucial role in seamen’s
ty to prevent this from happening. depression. There are many ways seafar- personal and professional life because it
ers can ensure a high level of wellbeing helps them cope with life’s normal anxiety
Captain Alberto B. Aguila onboard: and work productively and fruitfully. As a
Master, M/V Schinousa • Eating healthily result, seafarers who generally feel good
• Taking sufficient exercise onboard have the resilience to cope with the difficul-
Life at sea is full of adven- • Managing and dealing with fatigue ties and challenges of life at sea.
ture and uncertainty. For • Getting adequate rest, complying
newbies, it is full of expec- with medical advice, etc.
tations, which, as time goes • Spending time talking, playing
by, are replaced by boredom when they re- games, and watching movies with
alize that life at sea is influenced by various co-workers
factors: fatigue, the dangers associated with • Communicating frequently with
ship operations, the lack of shore-leave family and friends via social media.

22 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 16 / Q2 2021