Seafarers Working on Dredgers Rank Among the Happiest in the Industry

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published by The Mission to Seafarers recently, has revealed that seafarers working onboard dredging vessels are the most satisfied in the global maritime industry.

The report, which is produced in association with leading mutual P&I insurer the Shipowners’ Club, is based on the responses of thousands of seafarers across the global maritime industry.

The latest report showed that cruise and ferry crews had an average score of 5.3/10 on their general happiness level – 15 per cent less than the global average across all vessel types, which stands at 6.27 this quarter.

Happiness levels for those working on tankers, bulk carriers and container ships were all close to the global average, coming in at around 6.3/10.

Across all vessel types, four key issues emerged from the survey responses in this three-month period: delayed payment of wages; decreased shore leave; workload stress caused by smaller crews onboard; and a lack of understanding from shore staff with regard to seafarer welfare issues.

At the same time, concern around seafarer abandonment continues to grow, with many seafarers expressing a sense of vulnerability following a number of recent incidents around the globe.

The Mission also received a number of troubling reports of aggression, violence and bullying against female seafarers.