- The maritime industry has struggled to do the same with varying levels of success.
- The recent spate of events has fired up seafarers to question the levels of risk and reward.
- A growing number of respondents have said that they will be completing their trip and not coming back or seeking other roles within maritime.
Quarter 4 2021 results of the Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) conclude 2021, revealing how seafarers’ ‘general happiness’ is linked to the international response to Covid’s yo-yo nature as reported by Standard Club.
Increased frustrations
When movement has been opened up, optimism has risen, whereas when infections have increased and movement restrictions have been imposed, concerns and frustrations have increased.
The overall average score for the fourth quarter was 6.41/10, down from 6.59 in the third quarter, indicating a sad, pressured, and frustrated workforce.
The globe required some time to adapt and adopt steps to safeguard the safety of its people at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop a model that matched covid limitations while allowing life to go on with minimal disturbances.
Delays in global trade
With varying degrees of success, the marine industry has attempted to do the same.
Crew members were the first to be put in jeopardy, and those who did make it home spoke of being labelled “bringers of disease” and “treated like outsiders by the port officials at every port.”
The importance of shipping and sailors was once again highlighted when the international press covered the Suez Canal closure.
Despite the impact of delays in global trade and the potentially enormous losses/profits enabled by the marine industry, there was not enough momentum to grant seafarers globally key/essential worker status.
The recent series of events has caused many sailors to rethink their risk-reward ratios.
Small-scale injustice
Many people are experiencing profound and rooted sadness and rage as a result of small-scale injustices and disappointments, as well as life and career-changing realisations. A significant proportion of respondents have stated that they will complete their voyage and will not return or seek other nautical jobs. This may indicate that the sector should prepare for a shortage of replacement crews and a seafarer exodus in the near future.
Unless living at sea is improved and seafarers are given the recognition and respect they deserve, seafaring may never recover.
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Source: Standard Club
