A new 29-page report from the World Maritime University has some shocking statistics on one of shipping’s darkest topics – suicides at sea. The report, penned by two professors, Raphaël Baumler and María Carrera‑Arce, looks at both merchant shipping and the fishing industry, highlighting how seafarers have significantly higher suicide rates than other occupations. Studies show suicide accounts for 5.9-7.7% of total seafarer deaths. When including suspicious deaths and disappearances, this rate could increase by more than 20%, the report warns, adding that 25% of seafarers appear to suffer anxiety and depression and 20% report suicidal ideation—much higher rates than found in ground-based worker populations. Marine insurers similarly estimate that 11% of crew fatalities are attributable to suicide—though underreporting may inflate the true rate. Data scarcity, limited visibility, and overwhelming focus on operational fitness for duty have obscured crucial issues like onboard well‑being and suicide prevention, the report observes. To address this knowledge gap, Baumler and Carrera‑Arce developed a comprehensive risk factors matrix grouped into five meta‑categories: experience of being at sea – isolated, confined environments with unpredictable weather and extended voyages; the distinct nature of maritime communities – hierarchical structures, multicultural crews, lack of shore social bonds; health systems – limited access to mental‑health care while at sea; health services shaped by injunctive norms rather than holistic care; onboard community dynamics – strained relationships, few confidential support options; and the impact of closed and distant relationships. We’ve created a suicide-prone working environment These categories are interwoven with social theories in suicide research. The authors underscore that suicide emerges not merely from individual psychology but from systemic social and environmental forces—such as social disintegration, economic inequality, and failing health care—creating a sense of hopelessness that can make suicide seem like a viable escape. Despite this evidence, the authors argue that preventive strategies remain weakly institutionalized. International conventions such as the Maritime Labour Convention (2006) and ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention (2007) lack specific mandates addressing mental health or suicidality. The burden of support falls disproportionately on NGOs, charities, and seafarers’ unions, many of which struggle with chronic under‑funding. The authors have five proposals to improve the situation led by a call to renovate maritime governance and extract it from its isolation as well as implementing humane conditions of work, starting by implementing working time reduction to levels not harming health and shortening periods at sea. Other measures include strengthening reporting and research on sea workers’ health and safety, including deaths at sea, stabilising individual employment and crew composition to enhance social interaction and familiarisation on ships, and assigning responsibility to decision-makers when designing ships and determining operation profiles. Speaking with Splash Extra, co-author Carrera‑Arce said shipping and fishing sectors operate under purpose-made regulations that preserve current practices and profits over occupational safety and health and wellbeing. Consequently, she said industry interests prevail over seafarers ‘ and fishers’ conditions of work, whose rights are dow