By GMM News | 2024-10-01 | International Shipping News |

The most recent Seafarer Happiness Index report from The Mission to Seafarers shows that seafarers are happier as they expand their routes to avoid the Red Sea.

Crew members now have more time to rest, set routines, and enjoy social activities, improving morale. The data shows that happiness scores have risen from 6.99 in Q2 to 7.13 in Q3 of this year.

These lengthier routes, which were initially chosen to avoid risks in the Red Sea, are allowing crew members to relax and feel more connected to one another.Senior officers have also had more time to assist junior crew members and share responsibilities, developing a sense of teamwork on board.

The Seafarer Happiness Index, a quarterly survey, collects feedback from crew members to address issues that affect their well-being and performance.

Although morale is high, the Mission to Seafarers cautions that many challenges still exist. Peter Rouch, the group’s Secretary-General, urged the sector to take more actions to reduce the risks that seafarers experience, particularly in the Red Sea.

Other factors that contribute to seafarer happiness include improved food quality and improved access to exercise and recreational facilities.

However, some crew members say fatigue prevents them from completely enjoying these amenities. While they enjoy the better food quality, they wish for a more varied menu.

Despite these great developments, some serious concerns continue to exist. Poor internet connectivity is a major cause of frustration for crew members because it makes it difficult for them to communicate with family and friends.

Crew members are also concerned about their compensation and their limited shore leave.

Seafarers have also raised issues about training, saying that some programs are too basic and fail to address real-world challenges on board.

Workload stress remains a major concern, particularly from watchkeeping duties and changing time zones. Many crew members are concerned about reducing engineering positions on ships, which they believe affects ship maintenance and safety.

The Mission to Seafarers, along with partners Idwal and NorthStandard, is pleased to see an increase in crew happiness.

However, they say that more work must be done to ensure the safety of seafarers worldwide. Inmarsat is supporting the survey, which seeks to raise awareness of both existing and emerging issues affecting seafarers.