Press Release: Coronavirus – Mental Resilience On Board
The most obvious and direct threat of COVID 19 is the risk of infection, and our first programme on the coronavirus examined that and the measures needed to reduce risk. Whilst the ship is at sea, far away from land and sources of the virus, that risk of infection is low, but the virus can nonetheless pose other threats to health and wellbeing that are associated with worry and anxiety.
For seafarers, these worries can arise in many ways:
- “Will I be able to leave the ship and return home for my scheduled leave?”
- “How are my family and friends coping with the threat and the effects of the virus? Will they stay safe and well?”
- “How much personal risk of infection will I be exposed to when the ship reaches its next port?”
- “What will be the effect of the pandemic upon my company’s business and my future employment prospects?”
It is perfectly natural for seafarers to have these worries – it is human nature – but it is vitally important that those worries are managed. If they are not, they can affect physical wellbeing since mental resilience and physical wellbeing are mutually dependent. If one is weakened the other will be too.
Against this background, we have developed a new programme “Coronavirus – Mental Resilience On Board”. In this we focus on the importance of mental resilience; identify some of the threats for those on board; and focus on how to combat stress to maintain a good and positive mental state by including details of skills and coping strategies to help.
Chris Adams, Managing Director and Head of Loss Prevention for Steamship Mutual said:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation that is unprecedented and has deeply affected everyone’s lives in many ways. The seafarers upon whom the world depends to sustain trade are equally affected and it is natural for them also to be worried about the threats to their health and well-being that are posed by this virus. We very much hope that this programme on mental resilience will be of some assistance to them in coping with the understandable anxieties that may arise.”
Stephen Bond, Director for Marine Media Enterprises, added:
“COVID 19 poses real and significant challenges but we are all capable of resisting these with a strong mental attitude – build your resilience to stay safe and well. We will do what we can to continue to make these programmes in support of all seafarers”.
You can find our new film: “https://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/mental_resilience_on_board_0520.htm” on our website. This was produced by Marine Media Enterprises with the support of Columbia Ship Management, Petronav Ship Management, ISWAN and Steamship Mutual. This can be viewed, shared or downloaded from the Club’s website or for distribution to your fleet the film is also available from: [email protected]
Further specific guidance on techniques you can use to achieve mental resilience can be found in the publications at the following link: https://www.steamshipmutual.com/loss-prevention/Mental_Health.htm
Our first programme: “Coronavirus: Stay Safe on Board” is also available to download from our website where you will also find links to subtitled language versions of the film.
For further information and advice relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please refer to the information on our website, which is updated regularly: https://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/coronavirus012020.htm
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Contact
For further information contact Natalie Kenward on +44 (0) 7789 728364 or +44 20 7650 6496, Email: [email protected]
For further information visit: www.steamshipmutual.com
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