A STEADILY increasing number of seafarers are suffering from mental health difficulties while onboard ships.
This was the circumstance shown by a data from the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network’s (Iswan) SeafarerHelp helpline, revealing the growing need for welfare support at sea.
Iswan’s helpline data for the first half of 2025 showed that 15.5 percent of issues raised were related to mental health difficulties, a 7-percent increase from the same period in 2024 and 5 percent in the first half of 2023.
The record also indicated a spike in abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or violence (ABHDV).
Marville Espago, Iswan’s regional manager in the Philippines, stated that ABHDV cases have risen since 2020.
“Iswan is seeing a huge spike of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence at sea. We started tracking the number of ABHDV cases through our helpline since 2020 with 139 cases. In 2024, it spiked to 205 cases. This translates to 205 people who are experiencing very traumatic challenges while onboard on top of isolation and homesickness,” Espago said in an interview with Anytime Maritime, a weekly podcast hosted by Mary Ann Pastrana, chairman of the Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corp. (APFC).
“That is a 47-percent increase for over a five-year scale. That is an appalling statistic,” Espago added.
He furthered that 60 percent of seafarers who report ABHDV also seek support for mental health challenges.
“After experiencing ABHDV, they find it difficult to go back onboard. There are triggers and they need to consult psychiatrists. It’s like they were never the same again.”
Espago said that the data is a result of increasing awareness among seafarers about boundaries and welfare rights.
“Iswan’s helpline is an amplifying voice of seafarers, of their concerns and of their plights. This helpline also gives our maritime leaders a perspective on what truly happens on the ground. That is our purpose,” Espago said.
Fostering trust between leaders and seafarers
Espago stated in the interview that leadership at shore and at sea has a big impact on protecting the welfare of seafarers.
“They set the tone. If mechanisms are fair and non-punitive, if grievance procedures are implemented regardless of rank and gender, then seafarers will be less scared of reporting ABHDV. We’ve seen cases of complainants being the ones who are sent home by their company.
“Fair treatment amongst the crew promotes trust. And as they entrust their woes to the management level officers, then we better address these issues more,” Espago explained.
Espago and Iswan advised seafarers who are experiencing ABHDV onboard ships to talk to someone they can trust.
“For severe cases and if you want to pursue further actions, it is better to document the incident for evidence profiling. If you experienced harassment onboard and filed a case, it is going to be your word against the other, and it’s difficult to find conclusions for such. If you really want to pursue legal actions, you must document what is happening,” Espago said.
He also endorsed Iswan’s Allyship global campaign which provides practical guidance on addressing inappropriate behavior at sea and building strong support networks.
These guides offer actionable steps for seafarers, senior officers, maritime employers, and stakeholders to foster a culture of allyship, especially between men and women working as crew. This includes concrete suggestions on “what to say and how to say it” when challenging inappropriate behavior and how to restore a sense of safety in tense or high-pressure situations.
