Emergency Contact Latest Seafarers Happiness Index report reveals seafarer welfare crisis at tipping point Home Latest updates News Latest Seafarers Happiness Index report reveals seafarer welfare crisis at tipping point 30 Jul 2020 Download Sign up for alerts LONDON, 30  JULY 2020 – The latest Seafarers Happiness Index, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, has revealed the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the welfare of international seafarers and their families. The report makes it clear that the seafarer community is in the midst of a mental health crisis. The report shows the continuing decline of happiness at sea, largely due to the inability of seafarers to sign off and return home. Heavy workloads, virus fears and a perceived lack of COVID-19 precautions on board vessels are exacerbating the decline in satisfaction. Without immediate action, there are significant risks for the mental and physical wellbeing of crew and a growing risk to safety. The latest survey, undertaken in association with the Shipowners’ Club and Wallem Group, analyses the experiences of seafarers across the global maritime industry between April and June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, seafarer happiness has dropped from 6.30 in Q1 2020 to 6.18 in Q2 2020. Welfare crisis threatening seafarer and vessel safety The latest report shows vessels are sailing with fewer crew, increased sickness onboard and a pressure to keep hygiene standards at almost hospital-like levels. The demands of meeting these standards while also maintaining social distancing are relentless and seafarers are struggling to adhere to new guidance. This level of workload has been relentless since the outbreak of COVID-19 and is clearly taking its toll. Seafarers have reported feeling unsupported and stressed, and without respite, which is impacting work standards as well as the welfare of seafarers.  Combined with the challenge of accessing medical services, the risk of an increase i