Shipping Industry tends to be an isolated and forgotten industry; even more so the brave men and women that works out at sea. Sea workers “seafarers” are out of sight – out of mind!

Even though, with the entry into force of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) recently, there has been an increase of awareness on focusing on seafarers wellbeing and comfort in the maritime industry, in many occasions, seafarers wellbeing, mental health, basic human needs and rights tend to be ignored and the statistics of deteriorating mental health, increasing cases of depression and suicides on the industry are quite alarming.

Panama’s SeaNet (PSN) is a non-profit organization with mission of supporting
the wellbeing of seafarers transiting Panama Canal waters by creating a supportive environment by proving mental health support programs and related
literature to seafarers and by providing affordable broad band internet access at
the Panama Canal Anchorage areas.

Ensuring the wellbeing and good mental health of seafarers is not merely a matter for the individual but for all stakeholders of the maritime industry
as a whole!

Panama’s SeaNet aims to support the wellbeing and mental health of seafarers and to provide affordable broadband internet access to roughly 400 seafarers a day at the Pacific Balboa Anchorage by year 2020 which can be replicated to the Atlantic Cristobal by the 2025 for a total outreach of approximately 250,000 seafarers a year.

Panama’s SeaNet aims to create a confidential support system and network on which seafarers and/or their work mates can draw upon in times of need. This system will be based on online platforms supported by foundations that promote mental health ashore together with port chaplains provided by the mission of seafarers for spiritual and personal advice.

Seafarer wellbeing and mental health should be of extreme importance not only for the seafarer itself and its family but for the industry as a whole; since it has a direct relation with work performance and productivity and insurance companies (P&I) expenditures on illness and deaths onboard vessels.

Even though, the maritime industry has conflicting and reduced statistics, the wellbeing and mental health among seafarers has become an area of increased concern. Reports of mental health issues at sea have become commonplace, and data indicates that seafaring is an occupation with increased risk of suicide.

The overall picture of seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing is complex however;
surveys conducted by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) report that between six (6%) and forty one per cent (41%) of seafarers, depending on country, knew workmates who are depressed and that had considered suicide and a second study compilation which covered the years 1992 to 2007 found that thirteen per cent (13.1%) of seafarer deaths were as a result of suicide and disappearances at sea.

In 2015, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) conducted a study with more than 600 seafarers from a range of different countries3. It was found that a considerable number of seafarers often or sometimes feel anxious, hopeless, or depressed while at sea.

Certainly, the above facts are of serious concern. The breed of seafarers and their social needs and dependencies are changing in this digital information and social media era. The effects on wellbeing and mental health of seafarers due to social isolation, multicultural crews, limited social media access, commercial and regulatory pressures, work related stress on a hardship environment, long working hours and others are having an increasingly effect on maritime workers wellbeing and poor mental health.

Internet enabled vessels unfortunately are NOT a commonplace in today’s world of shipping even though, nowadays technology has made shipboard internet an affordable option for many shipping companies.

1. Milner, A., Spittal, M. J., Pirkis, J., & LaMontagne, A. D. (2013). Suicide by occupation: systematic review and metaanalysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 203, 409–416. / 2. Iversen, R. T. B. (2012). The Mental Health of Seafarers. Int Marit Health, 63(2), 78–89. / 3. International Transport Workers’ Federation. Survey of ITF Maritime Affiliates on HIV/ AIDS, Health and Wellbeing. ITF. 2015. / 4. Inversen R. The Mental Health of Seafarers. Int.Marit.Health. 2012; 63, 2: 78-89.