Seafarer support

The nature of working at sea means there will be challenging times. These welfare resources are made available for seafarers to manage their mental health and wellbeing.

These are some mental health helpline services available for use:

• SeafarerHelp - provides an international helpline service from the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).
• Hunterlink - provides counselling services for seafarers in every Australian port - if you are anxious, lonely, or troubled in any way, or even if you just want to speak to someone away from the ship, contact Hunterlink.
• R U OK? – offers a list of crisis intervention services.
• Lifeline – an Australian charity that provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide-prevention services.  

Resources from other organisations

Seacare Authority—Seafarer resource centre

The Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare Authority) oversees a national scheme of occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers’ compensation arrangements for defined seafarers.

Visit the Seacare resource centre for a list of resources for seafarers seeking help for themselves or colleagues.

International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) 

ISWAN offers guidance materials and online resources: 

• Maritime mental health awareness – online mental health events and workshops
• Guide to mentally healthy ships – provides shipping companies and operators with information to develop and implement mental health policies for seafarers.

Guidance on eliminating shipboard harassment and bullying

The International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have produced guidance for shipping companies, seafarers and seafarers’ organisations to eliminate harassment and bullying at sea.

Happy at sea?

The Seafarers Happiness Index is a survey conducted by the Mission to Seafarers to gauge seafarer satisfaction levels.  The survey asks seafarers 10 key questions about various aspects of life and work at sea and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing seafarers. Visit the Seafarers Happiness Index to find out more. 

AMSA resources

AMSA develops safety guidance and resources that are accessible on our website. 

These include:

• Marine Notices provide important safety and welfare related information to the shipping and maritime community.
• Safety Awareness Bulletins provide the latest information on maritime incident trends, investigations and safety awareness tips. Subscribe to receive a copy of our safety awareness bulletin. Topics covered in previous editions include, mental health and well-being, fatigue and its management, risk assessment, and incident reporting.

• Fatigue guidelines provide information on the causes and consequences of fatigue and the risks it poses to the safety and health of seafarers, operational safety, security and protection of the marine environment. These guidelines assist all stakeholders to better understand their roles and responsibilities in managing the risk of fatigue.
• Wellness at sea – AMSA partnered with the Sailor’s Society to provide a series of resources and advice to help care for the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers.