This article originally appeared in Safety4Sea

Day of the Seafarer Watch: Expert thinking on the key elements for enhanced wellbeing onboard
What are the three (3) most important elements for enhanced wellbeing onboard a ship?

1. Good food: The relationship between adequate nutrition and mental health is proven by research. This is low-hanging fruit (literally!) but there are companies which still remain stingy with crew victualling budgets.

2. Good colleagues: This doesn’t cost any money and this time, the onus is on the seafarers. It doesn’t have to be just harassment that depresses people; often the reasons are apathy and loneliness. Look out for each other and have some fun and games!

3. Good accommodation:  I was once on a ship trading mostly in the tropics but had no working air-conditioning. This is not common these days with MLC but don’t stop at the minimum standard for crew quarters. Shipyards take note.

I also participated in the Safety4Sea panel discussion; this is the YouTube video link. My part starts 2hr15 mins into the video, though I encourage you to watch the full event's proceedings.