Seafarer Happiness Index Q3 shows internet access is important for today's seafarer

Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) Quarter 3 2021 results gives us an indication of the true emotional trajectory of seafarers after struggling for around 21 months since the pandemic.

Q3 SHI reports an overall average score of 6.59/10, an uptick from 5.99 in Q2. Although SHI scores are back to pre-pandemic levels, fundamental issues raise risk of an exodus from the industry.

Connectivity on board has come to the forefront amongst many issues this quarter especially the cost of it. One sharp comment captured the reality for many, “our internet on board costs US$25 for 100MB.”.

If not cost, internet allocation was also bemoaned with one sharing that they were only given 250MB for a month which was insufficient for seafarers to maintain video calls with loved ones.

Addressing the opinion that crews with internet access tend to retreat into their cabins impacting social cohesion, it has been suggested that the real enemy of interaction is small crew numbers with a high multinational ratio.

With a lean crew, the small numbers on board have to double up on the workload and watch patterns. Coupled with a multinational crew, it means hardly anyone on board speaks their language on a level adequate to engage in non-work-related conversations. Arguably it is this cultural and language difficulties that sets the stage for seafarers to retreat to their cabins and use the internet if they have it.

As the pandemic proves challenging for crew changes, seafarers are stuck with longer tours of duty. Unable to get along and converse with fellow crew on board coupled with poor access to Wi-Fi deprives them of interaction with home as well. Such a scenario has massive implications for loneliness and isolation.

Stay tuned to this space as we unpack Q3 results, piece together the seafarer condition and what implications this has for all of us.  

The Loss Prevention department at Standard Club is dedicated to improving seafarer welfare, and testament to that commitment, the club is a signatory on the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change as well as a proud sponsor of the Seafarers Happiness Index, a report by Mission to Seafarers.

Category: Loss Prevention