Happiness among seafarers is declining, according to the lates Seafarers Happiness Index from the Mission to Seafarers.
Self-reported happiness levels dropped from 7.1 (out of ten) to 6.77 in Q2 2023 vs Q1 2023. Happiness levels fell across all areas tracked by the Mission, which include general happiness, connectivity, shore leave, wages, food, health, training, interaction, workload and welfare.
“Crews are facing additional difficulties, such as contract alterations, problematic remuneration, non-payment of wages, cuts, rising taxes, increased living costs, and inflation. It seems that while employers reacted swiftly to pandemic pressure, a return to pre-pandemic standards has been slow. Standards of welfare and employment appear more prone to downward changes than upward progress, and that is a cause for much frustration,” the Mission notes in its quarterly report.
Some of the unhappiness appears to also be a consequence of the modern seafaring life with workers missing their families while being away at sea, which is exacerbated by poor internet connections and time zone conflicts. Seafarers also complained of “excessive and unnecessary” paperwork.
The maritime workforce also complained of an inability to go ashore and this is said to affect their mental health, job satisfaction, and overall welfare. Factors such as inspections, schedules, work-induced exhaustion, and managerial restrictions make shore leave difficult to access. “These limitations contribute to a sense of boredom, frustration, and significantly lower morale,” the report says.
In the last 12 months, seafarers were happiest in Q4 2022, with a reported score of about 7.7 index points as opposed to 6.77 points now, which is a roughly 12% decrease in happiness.
