Mental health, abuse and financial strain emerge as key crew concerns

July 9 ------ The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has published its annual report on its 24-hour helpline SeafarerHelp, revealing insights on the increasingly complex challenges affecting seafarers and their families.

Based on thousands of helpline conversations, the report identifies emerging welfare concerns and highlights the need for continued action across the maritime sector to protect seafarers’ wellbeing, safety and dignity.

While the number of seafarers contacting SeafarerHelp with straightforward enquiries declined in 2025, those seeking assistance increasingly required support with more complex and interconnected issues involving mental health, relationships, finances and personal safety. Although new contacts, including calls and messages, decreased, follow-up interactions increased as more individuals required ongoing support rather than a single intervention.

As highlighted, seafarers highlighted the emotional strain of extended periods away from home, demanding workloads, concerns about family life ashore, and uncertainty linked to wider industry and geopolitical developments.

The report also found that challenges were rarely isolated, with mental health concerns often closely connected to employment conditions, onboard culture, financial pressures and experiences of abuse. "The themes highlighted in this review reflect the challenges that people are bringing to our helpline at a time of significant change for the maritime sector. Whether it is mental health, workplace culture, financial pressures or abandonment, these issues can have profound consequences for seafarers’ wellbeing and for their families," said Simon Grainge, Chief Executive of ISWAN.

Mental health concerns reach record levels

One of the clearest findings from the review is the significant rise in mental health-related cases. The number of contacts relating to mental health concerns increased by 35.9% compared with the previous year, reaching the highest level recorded by SeafarerHelp and exceeding levels seen at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helpline conversations reveal the sustained emotional toll that life at sea can have. Seafarers spoke about stress, worry, isolation and the pressure of balancing responsibilities on board with concerns about family life at home. SeafarerHelp also supported a growing number of people experiencing acute distress, including suicidal thoughts.

Safer cultures at sea remain a priority

The report also highlights the continuing impact of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence at sea. Women were disproportionately affected, being more than four times as likely as men to raise these concerns with SeafarerHelp.

Conversations with seafarers suggest that experiences of abuse are often compounded by wider workplace pressures, including long hours, limited rest and unsupportive onboard cultures. Many seafarers described concerns about reporting incidents and the potential consequences of speaking up.

Women continue to face increased risks and structural barriers

Women seafarers described facing disproportionately high levels of ABHDV, often shaped by wider structural barriers within the maritime sector. Being one of the only women on board frequently heightened feelings of isolation and vulnerability, and several women shared experiences of sexual harassment or sexual violence.

Many also spoke about the stress of working in environments not designed with their safety or wellbeing in mind and the pressure to continually prove their competence. Fear of reporting was a recurring theme, with concerns about negative personal or professional consequences and reporting processes that were ineffective or even harmful.

Financial pressure and abandonment add to growing uncertainty

The review also points to increasing financial strain among seafarers and their families. Helpline users described the challenges of managing irregular income, contract gaps, debt and financial responsibilities extending beyond their immediate households. These concerns frequently affected both wellbeing and family relationships.

At the same time, SeafarerHelp supported a growing number of seafarers affected by abandonment, with abandonment-related contacts increasing by 41.2% during 2025 and rising by 158.9% since 2022. Many affected seafarers reported being left without pay, support or a clear route home. "Our responsibility is to listen, identify emerging themes and work with maritime stakeholders to turn those insights into practical action that improves the lives of seafarers and their families," said Grainge.

Source: safety4sea.com