Why better communication matters for seafarers

Filipino seafarers and their families are being offered specialist workshops to manage the psychological pressures of constant connectivity, with Cyprus-based MHSS managing director Mariana Charalambous and clinical psychologist Karen Ibanez warning that problems at home increasingly follow crew members onboard. While improved internet access has become one of the industry’s greatest advances in crew welfare, allowing seafarers to remain in regular contact with loved ones throughout their contracts, MHSS psychologists say constant connectivity is also creating new psychological pressures that many families are unprepared for. In response, Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), a member of OneCare Group, has introduced digital communication hygiene workshops to help families develop healthier communication habits, decide which issues require immediate discussion and recognise which problems can wait until seafarers are in a position to respond. The workshops also explore how sharing problems that cannot be resolved from onboard may unintentionally increase anxiety for seafarers working in safety-critical environments. The service will be rolled out to other countries in due course. Ibanez said the challenge facing many seafarers today is no longer a lack of communication, but learning how to communicate in ways that support their mental wellbeing. “Over the past decade, shipping has done an excellent job of improving connectivity at sea. Seafarers can now speak to their families far more regularly than previous generations ever could. That has brought enormous benefits, but we are also beginning to see some unintended consequences,” she said. In practice, Ibanez said, “many of the seafarers we support receive messages about financial pressures, family disagreements, household problems or other personal concerns while they are thousands of miles from home”. “Naturally, they want to help, but they are often powerless to do so. They are left carrying the emotional burden while continuing to perform demanding operational duties onboard,” Ibanez added. The aim, however, is not to reduce contact between crew members and their families. “Our workshops are not about encouraging families to communicate less. They are about helping them communicate better. The quality of conversations is often far more important than the quantity,” Ibanez said. The programme also reflects the central role family plays within Filipino culture, where many seafarers see themselves not only as wage earners but as the primary providers for their wider family. As a result, worries at home can quickly become a significant source of stress onboard. Charalambous said the industry’s approach to crew wellbeing must continue evolving, along with focussing on outreach work with crews’ families. “The maritime industry has invested heavily in improving connectivity, and rightly so. Staying connected with loved ones is essential for wellbeing, but connectivity alone is not the solution,” she said. She added, “As communication becomes constant, the industry also has a responsibility to help seafarers and their families understand how to use that connectivity in ways that protect mental health rather than unintentionally adding to the pressures of life at sea.” That responsibility also extends to the people ashore. Charalambous added, “Mental wellbeing is no longer influenced solely by what happens onboard. Families ashore play an increasingly important role, which is why supporting seafarers also means supporting the people waiting for them at home.” As shipping continues to invest in digital technologies, MHSS believes the conversation around crew wellbeing must evolve alongside them. Providing internet access has transformed life at sea, but ensuring those connections genuinely strengthen resilience rather than create new sources of stress may become the next frontier in maritime mental health.