‘Seafarers may be reluctant to go ashore post-Covid’ - psychologist

Seafarers may be reluctant to go ashore when ports reopen after the coronavirus pandemic, despite some of them spending a year or more away from family and friends, according to a mental health expert.
 
Charles Watkins, a clinical psychologist and managing director of Mental Health Support Solutions, believes crewmembers will likely suffer from post-Covid stress disorder when allowed to set foot on dry land.     
 
“Although initially happy about ports opening and being able to take shore leave, some seafarers will be hesitant to go ashore due to possibly experiencing a temporary phobic avoidance of countries that were hit hard during the pandemic,” said Watkins, whose company provides 24/7 professional mental health support and guidance across the maritime sector.
 
Many crewmembers working throughout the pandemic have been stranded on ships, owing to nations closing their borders to contain the virus. Nevertheless, Watkins does not expect seafarers to demand shorter contracts once the shipping industry returns to normal.
 
“There is still a need to make money, so the length of contract isn’t a big issue because seafarers were used to prolonging their time at sea even before the pandemic,” he said. “If anything, the bigger challenge for them has been getting on board to work. With fewer crew changes taking place, many seafarers have stayed aboard longer to continue making money and providing for their family.”