The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published yesterday by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals that seafarer happiness levels are recovering, after reaching a record low last quarter. Overall happiness has increased from 5.85 to 7.21/10, with levels rising across all categories.
The survey, undertaken with the support of the marine and energy insurer Standard Club, and marine surveyors Idwal, reports on Q2 2022 and shows that the influx of industry solutions to tackle seafarer wellbeing has finally begun to lift morale and the mindset onboard. With more vaccinations, more frequent crew changes, wage rises, and new amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), there has been a knock-on effect for seafarer optimism.
After more than two years of uncertainty caused by Covid-19, seafarers are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, according to the report. “They are able to move more freely and have more certainty about whether they can go ashore and when they will next be able to go home. This freedom of movement has had a hugely beneficial effect on seafarer happiness - and as vaccination levels also rise among crews, there is a sense of stability returning to the industry.”
The survey highlighted that seafarers were happier with their shore leave and with welfare facilities when they were ashore.
The report points out that the biggest contributing factor to an improvement in mood has been that the most fundamental aspect of seafaring now appears more certain – knowing when you are going home. The data from Q2 reflects that the industry is getting better at making crew changes more regularly, with 41% of seafarers onboard for between just one and three months.
