How Captains are seeing mental health in the Yachting Community

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is the representative organisation of the Large yacht industry with a mission to; “Promote Excellence and Ensure Sustainability in the Global Yachting Industry”. 

The Captain’s Committee is a collective of current seafaring Captains from varying backgrounds and locations that work together to represent the concerns of yacht crew and Captains.  Major projects include support for ISWAN and the launch of the yacht crew helpline www.yachtcrewhelp.org and the publishing of issues of wide industry concern.

In this second article from the ISS Captains we confront an issue that cannot be ignored.  It is not generational, not gender specific or culturally targeted.  Mental Health of seafarers poses a threat and risk to all crew.  It manifests in seemingly innocuous behavioural changes and can have devastating consequences.

The problem

Crewing on a yacht is characterised by a unique set of features which sets it apart from other occupations. This includes;

1. Living in an environment that must appear to be ‘perfect’ at all times, 
2. a lack of empathy from shore support network (i.e. misdirected envy from family friends with no understanding of yachting environment or pressures),
3. demanding physical and mental working conditions,
4. long hours of work creating high levels of stress and fatigue, and
5. employment insecurity where the slightest perceived failure can result in being let go on a whim with all the attendant stress.

It can also be a ‘lonely life’. Not only are yacht crew away from family and friends for very long periods of time for some at a young age, many seafarers live isolated lives while onboard. An increasing degree of automation onboard ships has led to smaller crews and crew members may have different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Of course, cultural diversity is also a positive, depending on how it is approached.

The lonely life in seafaring is not new of course. What is new is that society’s expectations have moved incredibly quickly.  This cannot be ascribed to any generation, in a time of constant connectivity nobody expects to be out of contact for an extended from loved ones, family and friends ashore.

Technology for all its wonders can also not be ignored.  It has become clear that the use of technology, especially social media has made the individual more isolated, with face-to-face interactions diminished.

Crew are goaded into presenting an alternative reality online, “this reality” often presents a life that is carefully curated and full of joy, whereas the lived experience of the crew member is; long working hours, little recognition, restricted living quarters and all the while travelling to beautiful locations, but being unable to step ashore to enjoy them.  This may be the true reality, though the picture shown on social media by the crew member is very different. All smiles, and beach parties.

The incongruence and tension between these two realities creates tremendous stress on the individual. It can ultimately have a devastating impact and was sighted as a contributing factor to the loss of a member of our yachting community who could not reconcile the online reality with the yacht’s true reality.

As the Captains did in their first article, we also look to other industry sectors for guidance to define and understand the problem.

The commercial marine sector is aware and concerned for Seafarers’ Mental Health, so much so that Cardiff University were supported to conduct a study into cause and effect (published Gard 26 Nov 2019). 

In the commercial maritime sector, there was shock that 55% of companies had not introduced policies or practices to address Seafarer’s Mental Health.  The ISS Captains read this as 45% positively responded, it would be frightening to conduct the survey in the yachting sphere.

“The study concludes that “it is appropriate for industry stakeholders to be concerned about seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing and that such worries may be somewhat overdue”.

In fact, 55% of employer respondents stated that their companies had not introduced any policies or practices aimed at addressing issues of seafarers’ mental health in the last 10 years. Going forward, there needs to be much more emphasis placed on proactive measures aimed at improving the conditions of work and life onboard for seafarers and less placed on reactive and self-help strategies for employers and seafarers.”

The Shortcomings

The Captains in their shared and lived experience do not know of a cohesive policy that recognizes or provides support strategies for crew experiencing mental health problems. With many yacht medical policies excluding cover for mental health or stress injury it is almost structurally denied as being a medical issue.

With this being so the seafarer must make the decision whether to stay and try and ‘work through it’ or lose their income.  Would we do the same with a broken limb?

MLC requires there to be a policy on bullying and harassment, but how is this supported beyond a document? 

We are a long way from a solution when an ISS Captain reports;

“…On the last trip, my owner said that psychology has nothing to do with leading a bunch of yacht crew in tight quarters.  It made me laugh because it is actually the biggest and most important part of my job.”

The Senior Captains of the ISS understand their roles and the responsibility given to them, and contrary to some this not for manoeuvring the wonderful yachts.  It is for delivering consistent Leadership and effectively Communicating.

The Solution(s)

As with every article the ISS Captains present, we acknowledge, simple solutions would be in place and there is no single ‘silver bullet’.  Nevertheless, we say there is a way to go in the yachting community and some of the changes are not beyond taking steps towards today.

Yachting is a wonderful community and profession to be involved in. It presents great opportunities for personal growth, education, life experiences, and friendships. It broadens most people’s horizons through travel and contact with different cultures both through journeys and also via co-workers.

These are opportunities that should be cherished and taken advantage of. Additionally, in challenging economic times yacht crew can gain an advantage with their ‘at sea’ salary helping them gain a financial foothold not available to many of their shore-based peers.

As captains, it is our moral responsibility to make sure that these opportunities are taken by crew, this support and constant communication can help having a crew that is stimulated and has tolerable levels of stress. Remember captains;

“lead the people, manage the process”

Captains: 

Leaders are not born and nor are they created with a certificate of Maritime Competency. 

Captains need experience to lead and to acknowledge they do not have all the answers.  Mentoring / Coaching is common in the Corporate and Military Spheres.  It is beginning to be available in yachting.  Captains, Owners and managers of yachts are encouraged to seek this.  This ISS can provide referrals for mentoring services. 

Crew:

Captains all try their best with the tools they have at their disposal.  They make errors and some (regardless of certificate) are just not suited to lead a team and can through their own sense of self-preservation be incredibly damaging.  Crew must speak up using their respective pathways (DPA / Owner’s Representative) if this is the case.  It is a very serious step but one that at times is essential.

Structure of Operations:

There must be systems in place to handle stressed crew, but again ask if the stress is actually a symptom of the real problem that never gets acknowledged. 

This could be one or more things such as a guest-on schedule that does not acknowledge the humanity of those delivering it, one person with power in the organization that has no leadership skills and does more damage than good, or someone who is far more interested in job self-preservation than helping the team to solve the issues that are crippling the organization. 

The challenge to a yacht is to identify and rectify this structural flaw.

Three C’s - Communication, Communication, Communication

Having the old-fashioned Owner-Captain relationship can go a long way to helping with crew moral and their mental health.  All ISS Captains wish every owner asked the open-ended question of what suggestions the captain has in regard to solving the problem of crew?

A prepared captain can discuss how the past few years of the ‘guest usage’ schedule has been a benefit or a detriment. 

To help build the team of people from all over the world, confirm that you are having the appropriate number of quick and to the point meetings with crew, as most crew complain of the ‘mushroom’ scenario. 

From Little things Big things Grow

There are many small changes that when aligned can make a difference.  Use of recreational areas and the gym when guests are not onboard helps immensely and also having the time in the programme to actually provide clear unencumbered days off to crew. 

The Captain needs to feel supported by their management and yacht owner to think as far outside the box with creative ideas that are minimal impact for the owner, but a great benefit to the crew. 

Also, while crew are eating lunch or dinner, ask them to not be looking at their phones, but instead engaging with the other people at the table and turn off the TV at mealtimes and breaks.

These steps will not solve anything quickly, but over months and months, you will see a difference in how the team comes together.  By only looking at our phones, I would never know that one of my fellow crew has a brother that has the same physical handicap that my cousin has and talking about it makes us much closer.

Summary

The awareness of Mental Health is critical in all aspects of our community living.  Professionally and personally.  One ISS Captain observed that

“mental health concerns are so prevalent I am dealing with them daily, this should not be the case and something needs to change.”

If we were to do a stress / mental health risk analysis as we may do for other hazardous operations would our yachting work environments pass?  If it wouldn’t what do we need to change?

For the love of yachting the ISS Captains ask that we all become stakeholders in supporting our Captains and crew in this most critical aspect of their safety and performance.          

We also ask that you do more than nod in acknowledgement.  We ask that you join us in supporting ISWAN and donate to the development of their support portal. 

Now more than ever this is needed. 

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/yachtcrewhelp

Sincerely,

Your Fleet Captains