A new training programme that aims to promote and sustain crew wellbeing on board has been launched by maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society.
Its revolutionary Sea Mate initiative will see the new role of wellbeing officer created on board ships, with comprehensive training provided by the charity’s global team.
With funding from Trinity House, Sea Mate will equip wellbeing officers with the skills to roll out wellbeing initiatives on board ship, offering basic counselling and guidance to fellow crew members facing personal or professional challenges and acting as a crisis responder to assist during emergencies.
Sea Mates will advise the crew of all the services Sailors’ Society offers, including training, resources and helplines. The aim is to create safer and more harmonious operations on board ships.
Sailors’ Society CEO, Sara Baade, said: “As crews spend less time in port and more time at sea, it is vital that seafarers get the support they need whenever and wherever they need it.
“As part of our mission to offer 24/7 support to as many of the world’s 1.9 million seafarers as possible, this role will help maintain crew wellbeing on board and offer that first and vital triage support when seafarers are in distress.”
The Sea Mate pilot takes place this month (February), with seafarers from companies, including Seaspan, Seaarland Shipping Management Services,
Uniteam Marine, Sanmar Group, MT shipping and Songa Shipmanagement, trialling the three-day online course.
Sea Mate is part of Sailors’ Society’s gold standard Wellness at Sea programme for the maritime industry, which provides a circle of care for seafarers and their families.