- Seafarer Deaths Climb as Stress and Illness Dominate Crew Claims.
- Crew Wellbeing Under Pressure: Gard Highlights Mental Health Crisis at Sea.
- Illness and Suicide Drive Fatalities in 2024 Gard Crew Claims Report.
Gard has just put out its 2024 Crew Claims Report, which dives deep into around 3,000 crew claims submitted under Gard’s P&I mutual portfolio over the past year. This report not only looks back at previous years to spot trends and new risks but also backs up its findings with insights from Gard’s 2024 Crew Wellbeing Survey. This survey gathered feedback from more than 6,000 seafarers across 46 different nationalities, focusing on key areas like physical and mental health, rest, and social support systems, reports Gard.
25% Increase in Seafarer Fatalities Raises Alarm
One of the most alarming findings in the report is a staggering 25% rise in crew death claims in the three years after the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to the three years before it. “This is a highly concerning development, and one we will monitor closely to see if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed,” said Lene-Camilla Nordlie, Vice President and Head of People Claims at Gard.
Illness and Stress at the Core of Fatalities
Illness continues to be the top cause of death among seafarers, making up a staggering 83% of fatalities in 2024. Stress is a major factor here, with eight out of the ten most prevalent crew illnesses either triggered or aggravated by stress. Alarmingly, the number of crew member suicides has now outstripped the fatalities from accidents this year.
“This underscores the importance of having a stronger focus on mental health and wellbeing at sea,” said Nordlie. “While some stressors can be handled by seafarers themselves, many factors are controlled or influenced by companies and authorities.”
Health and Safety Are Interlinked
Christen Guddal, Chief Claims Officer at Gard, stressed the direct connection between seafarer wellbeing and safe vessel operations. “Getting enough rest, having good social support, being part of a team, all of this impacts your state of mind and situational awareness,” Guddal said.
He emphasised the need for a proactive approach to crew safety: “At Gard, we strongly believe that prevention is better than cure. Many of the incidents we handle every year could have been avoided. With this report, we aim to shine a light on the real-life challenges of life at sea and encourage meaningful conversations and tangible health and safety improvements across the maritime industry.”
The Mariners Medico Guide
Guddal also brought attention to the Mariners Medico Guide, a handy mobile app created by Gard in partnership with health experts. This app offers seafarers straightforward information and advice on how to handle both physical and mental health issues, making it easier for them to find the support they need when they need it.
Industry-Wide Responsibility
Rolf Thore Roppestad, the CEO of Gard, emphasised the company’s dedication to enhancing the lives of seafarers and urged the entire industry to make crew wellbeing a top priority.
“Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, and their health and safety should be a priority for all of us. By sharing this data and insight, we hope to raise awareness, support better decision-making, and to further strengthen the industry’s commitment to those who keep the world trade moving,” said Roppestad.
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Source: Gard
