Seafarers are becoming less happy in some areas of their working lives but are largely neither more happy nor less happy, according to data in the the latest Q3 data from the Seafarers Happiness Index. The Index is compiled by the Mission to Seafarers.
Happiness levels fell most from Q2 2023 to Q3 2023 in relation to wages and workload, with smaller falls recorded in relation to connectivity, and welfare.
Seafarer happiness increased in relation to shore leave.
In other areas – general happiness, food, health, training and interaction largely did not fall or rise significantly.
The Mission emphasised that seafarer happiness had fallen – down from 6.77 in Q2 2023 to 6.6 in Q3 2023.
However, on a long term view, the peak of seafarer happiness occurred in Q4 2022 when it stood at about 7.7 points, having risen from about 7.3 points in Q3 2022.
The Mission noted that life at sea holds an allure for many seafarers, noting that some seafarers see it as a chance to explore the world and to earn pay. Others view seafaring as a “rewarding adventure”. However, extended periods away can lead to homesickness and isolation. Happiness falls owing to overwork, stress and outdated conditions.
Dissatisfaction, the Mission noted, frequently stems from demanding workloads performing physically strenuous tasks. Restricted access to connectivity and limited onboard leisure time can breed boredom and loneliness while mixed nationality crews can lead to harassment, discrimination and an uncomfortable social environment.
Connecting with loved ones helps alleviate these challenges and relieves stress, however, seafarer are often forced to ration communication because of limited data, poor signals and cost constraints.
“Truly supporting seafarers requires facilitating regular, high-quality, contact. Companies that boost airtime allowances understand that crews have emotional lives beyond productivity. Ports must also provide fast, free, wi-fi, focusing on seafarer needs,” the Mission noted.
However, connectivity has its downside too as it facilitates micromanagement from ashore.
“Starlink [a low Earth orbit broadband satellite internet] has been great for recreation, but meetings with the office have massively added to work and stress,” said one respondent.
