Seafarer Happiness Index reveals uncertainty has taken its toll on mental health

Seafarer responses to the Q4 2021 Seafarers Happiness Index, published by The Mission to Seafarers, warn of a looming seafarer recruitment and retention crisis unless governments and ship manages take steps to allow more shore time and conditions improve onboard ships.

Undertaken with the support of the Wallem Group and the Standard Club, the survey has shown that seafarer happiness rose and fell throughout the year, a trend which mirrored the waves of COVID-19 infections.

The survey saw that when there has been an opening up of economies and international movement seafarer sentiment improved while in times of rising infections and restrictions on movement happiness levels have fallen.